Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin Medical Imaging Manager Kristen Ruf, RT(R)(ARRT), is CPR certified, an EPIC credentialed trainer, an EPIC super user and a Merge PACS super user. Yet, her most impressive qualification comes from her own medical journey.
“I have a unique background that I feel has given me a different perspective in the medical field. When I was 18 years old attending Madison College, on the waiting list for the radiography program and playing on the softball team, I was diagnosed with an osteosarcoma in my left humerus,” Ruf explains.
“I underwent 10 months of chemo while being able to attend general college courses online. I have had numerous surgeries, two right hip bone grafts, a trapezius muscle transfer, two separate cadaver bone implants, and I’m left with a very interesting humerus X-ray filled with plates and screws,” she adds.
“After multiple complications and surgeries, I was pushed towards transitioning to a leadership role to phase out of direct patient care while still being able to work in the field I love,” she adds. “I have been the medical imaging manager in both a hospital and clinic setting. I thoroughly enjoy what I do and the ever-changing medical imaging field itself.”
“Having gone through what I have has given me even more compassion and understanding of the overall patient experience within medical imaging. There are times when patients are in our department during some of the worst or scariest times of their lives. If we can help comfort and support them during these difficult times, it can make such a difference for the overall patient experience,” she says.
“Here at Group Health Cooperative of South Central Wisconsin we strive for excellent patient care. I can say without a doubt that we have a great medical imaging team that is patient-experience centered and focused. I am happy to be a part of a team that provides such great dedication and care to our members,” she says.
Her experience also provides Ruf with a great answer when asked about her greatest accomplishment.
“My greatest accomplishment is overcoming cancer from an osteosarcoma, starting a family when I was told I may never have children, and pursuing my career in medical imaging eventually making my way into management,” she says.
“I have been married to my husband, Christen, for four years. We have a seven-year-old daughter named Sadie. Our son, Cason, is five years old,” Ruf says.
Ruf says that she takes an active approach to leadership.
“I take a hands-on leadership approach. I wouldn’t ask or expect anyone else to do something that I could not or would not do myself. I try to offer support and encouragement for others to excel and succeed in what they do,” she says. “I am always open to listen to suggestions, feedback and new ideas. I am a firm believer in open communication and following through with closed loop communication. There are times I have received feedback or suggestions that I never would have thought of which I appreciate being shared. I strive to have our team here at GHC-SCW feel that they are valued and have a voice in our department.”
Ruf says her leadership stye is a direct result of the support and knowledge she received.
“Shara (Bacher) is hands down the best supervisor I have ever had. She sets a stellar example for what a dedicated, compassionate, knowledgeable and supporting supervisor represents. She helped me grow and offered guidance as I settled in and transitioned into my medical imaging manager role here,” Ruf says. “I am currently enrolled in a leadership keys program within our organization and will be assigned a mentor through that. I am looking forward to this experience and excited to see what I learn and gain from this program.”
When asked what else she wants to share, Ruf focused on the imaging team she works with daily.
“I love my job because there are always new challenges and learning and growth opportunities. Not a single day has the same repetition for me,” she says. “I am very thankful to be part of an amazing team here at GHC-SCW that makes patient care and the overall member experience a top priority which is held at such a high standard.”
Ruf remains excited about her imaging and leadership role. The challenges she has overcome serve as proof that she will do what is needed for patients and her team.
- What is the last book you read? I am currently working my way through the Colleen Hoover book series.
- Favorite movie? My favorite movie is “Hoosiers.” I am an avid sports lover, especially college basketball. I love the story behind the movie and how can you not root for an underdog?!
- What is something most of your coworkers don’t know about you? Most of my coworkers do not know that during my chemo treatments I developed chemo toxicity which put me into a coma for 12 hours. I don’t remember much of it. It’s something I never really bring up or talk about with others. I view it as another hurdle I have overcome in life.
- What is one thing you do every morning to start your day? Coffee is a must for me. I am more of a night owl than a morning person, so coffee is my morning go-to to start off my day. I drink cold brew coffee year-round even through our cold Wisconsin winters.
- Best advice you ever received? The best advice I ever received is from the late and great Jimmy Valvano speech. “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up.” His outlook on life during his toughest moments is truly inspiring. I can relate this quote to many different aspects of my life. It’s also that little reminder that no matter what life throws at you just keep moving forward and have faith it’ll all eventually work out.
- Who has had the biggest influence on your life? My family has been the biggest influence on my life. I have had to lean on them during some of the hardest times in my life and I have always felt that love and support from them.
- What would your superpower be? If I could have any superpower, it would be to read people’s minds. A lot of people hold back what they are thinking or feeling for whatever reason it may be. I can appreciate open and honest feedback, so I often wonder what people are really thinking but not saying aloud.
- What are your hobbies? I enjoy a wide variety of hobbies. Spending time with my family is number one. I like to hunt deer and turkey, fish, spend time outdoors, spend the day at the lake on our pontoon, go on ranger rides, snowmobile or sledding with the kids, reading, cooking and baking, gardening (my 81 year old grandmother is a big help while I still develop my green thumb and plant vs. weeds knowledge), and spend time at the family cabin up north.
- What is your perfect meal? This is tricky for me to pick one meal. I consider myself a “foodie.” I enjoy many different types of food. I could eat Mexican or Italian foods every day and never get sick of them. I love different appetizer foods and dips. I am a big fan of all kinds of cheese which comes naturally being a true Wisconsinite.
My favorite go-to snack is a dill pickle when I can sneak one if my son hasn’t eaten them all first. I enjoy the occasional after dinner popcorn snack with my daughter.
