No Need to Fear, Kathy’s Here
Helping people has always been part of Kathryn’s nature and a big reason why she became a Medical Imaging Technologist (MRT) and made her way to Oak Valley Health.
“I decided to become a MRT when I was in high school because I liked the idea of helping people as well as working with technology,” says Kathryn Graber, Charge Technologist, who works in mammography in the Diagnostic Services department at Markham Stouffville Hospital. “I love my work because mammography allows me to ease patients’ fears and offer professionalism and compassion when they feel most vulnerable.”
Kathryn joined Oak Valley Health in November 2018 after working at another hospital located in the greater Toronto area for a number of years. “I was delighted to be welcomed and supported by the staff, managers, and radiologists,” says Kathryn.
“The culture here at Oak Valley Health is, in my experience, ‘kindness’,” says Kathryn.
As a Medical Imaging Technologist and Charge Technologist, Kathryn is responsible for all facets concerning mammography in Diagnostics Services. A mammogram is an x-ray image of breasts used to screen, or for diagnostic purposes. The field of mammography is regulated by both provincial and federal governing bodies to ensure all equipment and technologists adhere to the highest standards. This requires submission of detailed testing daily, weekly, monthly, and annually. As a Charge Technologist, Kathryn is responsible to oversee all quality control testing and adherence. Technologists have images they have produced, reviewed randomly each year by the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) to demonstrate diligence to excellence.
Mammography is always evolving and advancing, an aspect that Kathryn very much enjoys as she loves learning and keeping up-to-date with the latest technology. “Working with wonderful colleagues that are deeply committed to their discipline is very rewarding,” says Kathryn.
Growing up in beautiful Nanaimo, on Vancouver Island, Kathryn enjoys the outdoors. When she isn’t busy caring for patients, you can catch her travelling, kayaking, golfing, curling, and reading.
Markham Stouffville Hospital’s newly renovated Breast Health Centre offers nursing assessment, mammogram, ultrasound biopsy, a surgeon consult and surgery, if needed, and patient education resources. The Centre has also partnered with the OBSP which includes the new high risk screening for women who are at higher risk for breast cancer.
Our health care providers include a team of pathologists, family physicians, nurses, mammography technologists, radiologists, ultrasound technologists, surgeons, social workers, coordinators, unit secretaries, and volunteers trained in the needs associated with our patients. Read more about our Breast Health Centre.
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