Life Well Spent

Somewhere, in the blink of an eye, forty-six years have gone by since I graduated from “X-ray School” at Lankenau Hospital in Philadelphia, PA.  I was a young, energetic technologist primed for the future and a wonderful career.

            Now comes the time to reflect on those many years, all the changes, accomplishments and great people I had the good fortune to work with.  Like many of you, I spent the first 13 years of my career as a technologist.  I did Nuclear Medicine before the license was required, learned mammography and CT on the job.  Worked in hospital settings, an orthopedic office and a mammography center. 

            Then came that day when I was promoted to a shift supervisor and I LOVED it!  I loved it more than taking care of one patient at a time as I quickly realized I could influence the care of ALL the patients that come through our shift.

            Since then, I was a manager in a hospital setting and a director in two other hospital settings.  The last 18 years I have been here at Sutter Gould Medical Foundation, a multi-specialty physician practice in Central California, where we have seven locations, the largest in Modesto.  The amount of growth and technology changes have been astounding.  When I trained, CT, MRI, and PET/CT did not exist, at least at the community level.  Imaging moving to a digital platform has been a major game changer in terms of acquiring images and more easily sharing them.  I had a chat with one of our students the other day and we talked about can you imagine what will change by the time you are my age?

            I was in the inaugural group for the CRA credential and was terrified I would fail!  Body-of-knowledge tests are so difficult!  I was fortunate that I could pull from experience and passed that test.

            I had the pleasure of serving AHRA in many capacities over the years…everything from writing peer review journal articles for Radiology Management, articles for Link, serving on the Design Team (and as Design Team “Queen” twice), serving on the Board and as President.  All this work was so gratifying and the opportunity to network was unbelievable.  I now have friends all over the USA and in Australia that I would not have met.  Truth be told, the BEST job in AHRA is being on the Design Team.  Lots of fun, lots of work and there is a DEADLINE.  You simply cannot fail!  The strategic learning I had has become invaluable not only at work, it’s helpful serving on our church board and understanding other not-for-profit organizations.

            As one ages, people ask if I have any advice, and it’s just this: be kind.  Kindness means you will plan for the highest and best for everyone in your sphere of influence and locus of control.  Kindness means you take everyone where they are at this moment.  Kindness means you take care of yourself.  Kindness means you give your best in every situation.

            I am excited for the future as I know there are some awesome Radiology Administrators that will lead us ahead in the years to come.  Embrace change, live in the moment and remember “the days are long, and the years are short.”   (Author unknown)