Three members of Humboldt General Hospital’s radiology team have achieved the nation’s highest certification in their respective modalities.
Radiologic technologists Kelley Bell and Heather Shearer have achieved advanced registries in Computed Tomography (CT Scan) while Diane Vess has achieved her advanced registry in Obstetric Sonography; she is now a member of the American Registry of Diagnostic Medical Sonographers (ARDMS).
The advanced registries come just months after all seven staff members of Humboldt General Hospital’s Radiology Department achieved their national registries from the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT).
A person is certified by the ARRT after meeting educational preparation standards, complying with ethics standards, and passing a comprehensive exam. Registered team members include Bell, Shearer and Vess as well as Radiology Manager Pam Wickkiser, Bryn Echevarria, Tammy Loveland and Reme Huttman.
“We are striving for clinical excellence,” Wickkiser said, “and in order to demonstrate our commitment to the highest educational and ethical standards within our profession, this registry process is absolutely critical.”
Wickkiser said she is extremely proud of the three women for placing such a high priority on clinical excellence.
“Becoming registered in a modality is an incredibly rigorous, time-consuming process,” she said.
“These ladies have worked hard to pass these exams and we applaud them for their desire to provide the best possible care to the residents of this community.”
Wickkiser said more of her technologists continue to work toward registry in their respective modalities—an important component of her department’s three-pronged “promise to the community.”
The radiology manager said in addition to ensuring clinical excellence at every level of the imaging continuum, her department also is committed to premium customer service.
The department has extended its hours from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday. A technologist also is on staff until 11 p.m. each night to answer calls to the Emergency Department; additionally, staff members remain on call throughout the night.
Wickkiser said the department’s premium customer service also will include appointment reminders, regular distribution of customer service surveys and attempts to streamline access to the department’s eight modalities including MRI, CT Scan, X-Ray, Vascular Ultrasound, Obstetrical Ultrasound, Cardiac Ultrasound, Mammography and Bone Densitometry.
The third prong of the department’s “promise to the community” is advanced technology. In the past six years, Humboldt General Hospital has added or replaced six of its eight modalities, bringing the latest technology and diagnostic capabilities to Humboldt County.
In fact, the hospital most recently added the iE33 cardiovascular ultrasound system from Philips Medical Systems, which will facilitate quicker, less costly diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.
Additionally, the manager is busy working on details to upgrade the hospital’s MRI machine. She expects to have a new unit on site by this fall.
Wickkiser said, “Our goal is to have the latest technology for our patients, and that has resulted from a combined commitment from our department, the hospital’s administration and its board of directors.”
For more information on Humboldt General Hospital’s Radiology Department or to make an appointment, please call (775) 623-5222, ext. 133.