We are very proud to announce that our Imaging Manager, Kathryn Thurman, recently earned The American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) Mammography certification and will be bringing back mammography services at Lower Umpqua Hospital. Certification requires that professionals meet ARRT ethics requirements, complete an additional 45 hours of continuing education, job shadow and participate in 125 Mammography exams under direct supervision of a registered Mammographer and pass the registry exam, which includes 125 questions. When asked what motivated her to pursue Mammography certification, Kathryn states, “The lack of care was what stemmed my drive to become certified. We had the position posted for five months with no applicants. Women’s health is a priority, and I know local patients who couldn’t travel out of the area. I wanted to make sure the women in our community are taken care of.”
Kathryn couldn’t have accomplished this so readily without the support of Bay Area Hospital, as she was able to meet her training requirements alongside their registered Mammographers. “Their team was enthusiastic and supportive,” she states. “I was impressed with how skillful they were maintaining patient comfort while getting quality images.”
Kathryn has been an employee at Lower Umpqua Hospital for 18 months, coming from Corvallis, Oregon. She has 16 years of imaging experience. When she is not working, she enjoys time with family, playing video and board games. She is a talented baker (as her co-workers can attest), and she enjoys going to the beach with her dog, finding sand dollars and other treasures. Congratulations, Kathryn, and thank you so much for the care you bring to our hospital and community.
