Rita Fahey and Craig Lundy
That two individuals, both unrepentant travelers, with seemingly divergent backgrounds and interests could find themselves on parallel career paths here in Ketchikan seems somewhat unlikely; and yet, Rita Fahey and Craig Lundy are proof that our personable city attracts and retains captivatingly distinct personalities. Both Fahey and Lundy have not only deliberately chosen to live on this rocky edge of Revillagigedo Island, but also have chosen the similar profession of radiologic technologist. While Ketchikan General Hospital employs both Fahey and Lundy, it is the University of Alaska’s honor to claim them as the first two Ketchikan graduates of the recently inaugurated radiologic technology program, initiated with substantial input from Scott Smith, KGH’s Radiology Manager.
Fahey is a consummate student; she exemplifies the qualities of a life-long learner. Although she had already completed a four-year course of study in Lima, Peru, she was intrigued by the idea of continuing her education here at the University of Alaska Southeast – Ketchikan. She not only had to formally learn the English language by taking the most basic English courses offered, but also needed to use that new knowledge in her higher-level classes. Fahey remembers, “The class sizes were small, and that made a significant difference. I didn’t feel intimidated. I also received a lot of one-on-one help and constant encouragement. There was a community feeling.” Fahey’s perseverance has paid off, allowing her to enjoy a fulfilling career while also giving her opportunity to honor her mother’s inspirational memory; it was Fahey’s ill mom who one day commented about the lack of women technologists administering her CT’s and MRI’s at the hospital. Fahey recalls her mother saying, “I wish ladies would do this.” Fahey’s mother would be proud to know that her daughter took those words to heart and now comforts patients who are uneasy with the required medical scans, in a field formerly dominated by men.
Lundy too, is a remarkable student. His resume often raises eyebrows and compels questions from curious employers. His background speaks of varied interests and fascinating journeys. Among other endeavors, Lundy has worked on the waterfront in Philadelphia, part of a three-man crew overseeing the storage and shipping of thousands of pallets, loaded with peaches and plums for Dole Fruit; been paid to deliver R.V’s across the United States; and spent time working on a factory trawler in the Bering Sea, out of Dutch Harbor. Before enrolling in the rad. tech. program at UAA, he worked for Phillips Cold Storage as a highly qualified supervisor, an essential employee in the business of buying, freezing and selling high-quality, organic salmon. Lundy was inspired to seek a more reliable long-term career after being left unemployed when Phillips closed down briefly in 2001. He was able to obtain federal financial assistance with the help of the Job Center, through the Trade Adjustment Act, as well as some other state-sponsored grants to cover housing costs and school-related bills. Lundy says, “Gail Klein was proactive with helping me communicate my needs with the Job Center. I received lots of good individualized help, especially in staying in touch with my funding counselors. I was fortunate to be able to start the rad. tech. program within two months of my decision to pursue it. Dr. Houtcooper allowed me to start his anatomy and physiology class in the middle of the semester. He put me on the fast track to get me closer to accomplishing my goal.” Partly because of their extensive travels, both Fahey and Lundy are deliberate in their decision to live and work here.
Had it not been for the astute solution to the continuing staffing problems caused by a lack of local technologists, Fahey and Lundy would not have been able to complete, let alone start, their training here in Ketchikan. Smith was the visionary behind implementing the rad. tech. program through our local campus. He recognized an ongoing need for quality technologists at the hospital. With dogged persistence, he facilitated the appropriate approvals and necessary clinical affiliations to get the program going. Erica Koch Wight, the program director based in Anchorage, agreed with Smith as to the timely suggestion and worked to implement his savvy idea. Although it took a few years of constant collaboration, Smith’s diligence eventually paid off. The hospital hired both Lundy and Fahey after their completion of the new program. Smith says, “This program has been a huge success. Training local people to staff our department eliminates the tremendous amount of turnover we experienced before.” So far, three students, including Fahey and Lundy, have completed the program and entered the workforce. Two more students will graduate in the spring of 2008.
Because the rad. tech. program is based out of Anchorage, Fahey and Lundy were required to take many of the courses through distance-delivery. Lundy states, “I wouldn’t have been able to do this without the distance-delivered classes. I was surprised at how effective they were. I had no prior experience with them. Matt Olsen and Brenda Hurley helped us out tremendously, making sure we had the necessary supplies and support.” Fahey too remembers, “We were the guinea pigs – the first ones to go through the program. We needed to be self-motivated. Craig and I studied together and reminded each other about upcoming assignments.” Our small town does not diminish the educational possibilities afforded by the many online, Elluminate, and audioconferenced classes offered by UAA through the Ketchikan campus.
Both Lundy and Fahey have already begun further specialized cross-training in their field, and are also planning to gain more modalities on their RT licenses. Fahey wants to become a mammographer and learn how to administer computed axial tomography (CAT) scans, while Lundy aims to earn his licenses to administer both magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and CAT scans. Lundy says, “I love living here. I love my job.” Fahey echoes those thoughts: “I love working with people, especially the elderly. When someone comes in with some fears, I like to put them at ease. I care about them and when they leave with a smile, that is all the thanks I need.” UAS – Ketchikan adapted to this community’s emerging educational needs; Fahey and Lundy honor our campus with their hard work and focused determination to achieve their goals. It is assured that they will excel in their future studies.
Infocus piece written by: Dawn Rauwolf
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