Rebecca Forrer, R.T.(R)(CT)(ARRT), Supervisor of CT Imaging Operations, WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital
WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital’s supervisor of computed tomography imaging operations Rebecca Forrer, R.T.(R)(CT)(ARRT), received her certification in radiography from Lancaster General College of Nursing and Health Sciences. She currently attends Penn State University, where she is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in health policy and administration.
ICE Magazine recently had an opportunity to interview Forrer about her imaging education and career.
Finding Her Way Into Imaging
Q: Where are you from?
A: I was born, raised and still reside in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.
Q: How did you first decide to start working in imaging?
A: I had always known that I was going to have a healthcare career. After shadowing in nursing and imaging in high school, I chose imaging. I was drawn to the people and the technology. My first imaging job was working in the darkroom developing X-rays on the weekends when I was in high school.
Leading CT in a Rural Community Hospital
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
A: As a working supervisor, caring for my patients is very high on the list. However, as a leader, the most rewarding part for me is walking alongside my team and experiencing the challenges and the wins with them. This allows me to have a greater impact by understanding the needs of my team and successfully implementing changes in our department.
Q: What do you like most about your position?
A: Working in a rural community hospital, one of the greatest things about my position is the innovation of bringing advanced technology from the larger hospitals in the health system and implementing new procedures in CT for our patients. Having access to care close to home is very important to our community and reduces unnecessary transfers to the larger facilities.
Looking Ahead
Q: What interests you the most about the imaging field?
A: The advancements in technology over my 25-year career have been absolutely fascinating thus far! Imaging is vital for diagnosis and treatment of disease and even more so for the early detection and screening of cancer, which has a real impact on our patients and their quality of life. Every year there are advancements and new recommendations that improve the survival rates of cancer patients.
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment in your field thus far?
A: My greatest accomplishment has been leading my team through the COVID-19 pandemic in my first year of leadership. It prompted accelerated growth and strengthened the trust within our team.
Q: What goals do you have for yourself in the next five years?
A: My goals include completing my bachelor’s degree, preparing for new opportunities by seeking out additional responsibilities and participating in systemwide initiatives to gain leadership skills, and mentoring others to pursue their full potential in their imaging careers. •
Fun Facts
Favorite hobby: Camping with my husband, our kids, grandkids and our dogs.
Favorite show: “Fixer Upper”
Favorite food: Macaroni and cheese or ice cream; it’s a toss-up!
Favorite vacation spot: Arizona – hiking in Sedona and the Grand Canyon
One thing on your bucket list: Visiting Glacier National Park
Something your co-workers don’t know about you: I enjoy working in the garage with my husband, tearing down and rebuilding the engine and other components of our 1970 Pro-Street Chevelle.
Rising Star Nomination
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