How this Huntsville mom found the perfect career in healthcare

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Katie Edwards found her career in healthcare at Huntsville Hospital as an Imaging Tech — Katie Edwards at Huntsville Hospital. (Lacey Muenstermann / Hville Blast)

Five years ago, Katie Edwards made a bold decision. After two years of going to nursing school, she packed up her bags and moved back to Huntsville to launch a different career in healthcare.

Check out how she found her ideal job at Huntsville Hospital, all while raising her five-year-old son.

‘Growing up’ at Huntsville Hospital

Katie rolling around portable radiology table — Katie’s spent almost her whole life at Huntsville Hospital. (Lacey Muenstermann / Hville Blast)

Katie was born in the Five Points area, but Huntsville Hospital practically raised her.

Her mom has worked at the hospital for 25 years in a variety of HR and administration roles, and Katie has fond memories of joining her at work over the years.

“As a child, I would always go to the hospital with my mom if I was sick or school was closed. I loved snuggling up and sleeping under her desk. So many people around Huntsville Hospital have watched me grow up.”
Katie Edwards

Katie’s family ties to the hospital go even further. When she was four years old, her mother met her stepfather, who was also working at the hospital. At the time, her stepfather was caring for his sister’s son, and eventually, he and Katie’s mom decided to adopt him.

From nursing to radiology

Katie and a coworker at Huntsville Hospital — Katie and one of her coworkers/besties, Karen. (Lacey Muenstermann / Hville Blast)

Katie had always been attracted to a career in healthcare but wasn’t sure exactly where she’d land. After starting off at UAB in nursing school, Katie soon realized she was interested in a different path and—in a full circle moment—found herself back at Huntsville Hospital.

She first began working as a transporter—an assistant to imaging techs. After just a short time working at the hospital, Katie knew she wanted to launch her career in healthcare. She applied for Huntsville Hospital’s Radiologic Technology school and got in.

When she started the program, she was working at the hospital and eight months pregnant with her son, Ezra. Thankfully, her teachers and supervisors were very accommodating, and she had a great family supporting her.

“I was very grateful that my supervisor was always willing to work around my schedule. Also, during the second year of the program when we were doing student tech clinicals, they allowed us to make our schedules, which was extremely helpful.

Now, my son is almost five, and it’s crazy to think about how much I’ve grown at the hospital since then.”
Katie Edwards

After graduating from the Radiologic Technology program, Katie officially became certified as an imaging tech and hasn’t looked back since.

Take your career in healthcare to the next level—check out the Radiologic Technology program at Huntsville Hospital

Finding her ideal career in healthcare

Katie and patient looking at screen for x-ray — Katie loves helping patients feel comfortable. (Lacey Muenstermann / Hville Blast)

Now that Katie’s working in radiology, she couldn’t imagine choosing any other career in healthcare.

“Even when I was in nursing school, radiology was always at the back of my mind, and now I see why. I love how it merges technology with critical thinking and patient care.”
Katie Edwards

If you’re not familiar with what it looks like to work as an imaging tech, check out what Katie does every day:

Fluoroscopy—A live X-ray format where the imaging tech can analyze the image in real-time
Portable X-rays—Katie and the other Imaging Techs travel all over the hospital to trauma + other units that can’t transport patients to the radiology center due to serious conditions.
Emergency room X-rays—One of the key times Katie has to quickly use her critical thinking skills + address unexpected situations

One of Katie’s favorite parts about her job is how every day looks different.

“We never see the same patient twice, and every situation is completely unique. With each patient, you have to use critical thinking skills.

For example, a patient may have a broken arm, and you have to figure out how to X-ray their shoulder without moving their arm. We have to be adaptable to do our job efficiently and help the doctors get the information they need.”
Katie Edwards

Check out the opportunities in radiology at Huntsville Hospital

Katie and other Imaging Techs with Director of Radiology at Huntsville Hospital — L-R: Rhonda, Director of Radiology, Emily, Katie + Karen—all Imaging Technologists.

Radiology at Huntsville Hospital opens up many doors. In addition to working with X-rays, healthcare workers can find opportunities in CAT scans or MRIs. It’s easy to start off in one field and quickly cross-train to work in another.

Katie has loved having so many opportunities at her fingertips. But, overall, her favorite part of her job is the friendly and caring community she’s found at Huntsville Hospital.

“I love it here. I love my co-workers. Everyone’s friendly, and we all get along super well. When I walk down the hall and pass people, they’re always smiling and saying, ‘Hey, how are you?’ This place is home for me.”
Katie Edwards