It is a bright new year and this month’s Rising Star is committed to professional development. Corewell Health Big Rapids & Reed City Hospitals Imaging Manager Joy Smith, MBA, BS, RT R M, holds multiple degrees including a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Healthcare and an associate degree in applied sciences-radiography. All three degrees are from Ferris State University.
ICE Magazine recently interviewed Smith to find out more about her career and goals.
Q: Where did you grow up? Or where are you from?
A: Marquette, Michigan. I lived in Green Bay, Wisconsin, for 8 years and live in Big Rapids, Michigan, now.
Q: How did you first decide to start working in imaging?
A: In my first year of college, I met someone at a local park wearing a fleece jacket with “Radiology” embroidered on it. Intrigued, I asked about radiology, and they eagerly shared their knowledge and experiences as a technologist. Their enthusiasm for providing imaging care was contagious, inspiring me to research the field further. That very night, I decided to enroll in a radiology program, driven by their passion and dedication. My passion for caring for people in times of need and working as a team fit perfectly with this career choice.
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
A: Collaborating with team members to listen to their ideas and suggestions is incredibly rewarding. By actively working to remove barriers and implementing solutions together, we continuously improve our processes, making work more efficient and seamless. A key focus is always on enhancing safety. We recently completed extensive training in high reliability organization education and my imaging team excelled in identifying safety enhancement ideas that were either quick just do its or smaller projects. I am always impressed how attentive they are in learning and applying. Embracing change is a constant in our field, and navigating it becomes especially fulfilling when we keep both patients and team members at the heart of our efforts. We are currently launching a new patient experience survey using Qualtrics and there is a great deal of excitement to receive our first results. This approach not only fosters a supportive and innovative work environment but also ensures that we are always striving for excellence in patient care and team collaboration. I have been incredibly fortunate to collaborate with an exceptional imaging team. Each member brings unique value and dynamic insights, which continually inspire me to show up as my best self-daily to support them.
Another rewarding aspect of my role is the outstanding leadership team and colleagues I work with every day. I have an exceptional local executive leadership team that is highly engaged and supportive of our work in imaging. They engage often to help remove any barriers and show genuine interest in the services we provide. We recently had an all-leader networking event outside of work that really helped me get to know other leaders that I work with less frequently, that was really cool! Additionally, I collaborate daily with a truly talented imaging leadership team, giving me the opportunity to find and implement best practices. We have the autonomy to think big and introduce new ideas to align processes. The last team event we did was a leadership bowling event, it was impressive to see how many skilled bowlers we have, I however am not one of them. I am fortunate to know many of my colleagues as people, too, We can have fun together which makes the hard work we do even more meaningful and manageable.
Q: What do you like most about your position?
A: The ability to positively influence workplace culture and shape a high performing, engaged team is invaluable. By fostering an environment where team members feel motivated and supported, we can ensure that every patient receives exceptional imaging care. This involves not only leading by example but also actively listening to team members’ needs and ideas, encouraging continuous professional development, and recognizing their contributions. We spend a lot of time learning core culture concepts and referring to them in conversations. When a team is united and driven by a shared commitment to excellence, the quality of patient care naturally rises. This collaborative spirit and dedication to high standards create a thriving workplace where both patients and team members benefit immensely. I genuinely value working closely with my front-line team, watching them in action, and supporting each other. Their vital role in patient care is truly commendable, and I greatly appreciate all that they do.
Q: What has been your greatest accomplishment in your field thus far?
A: One of my greatest accomplishments in leadership has been investing in people and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation. By building strong networks and ensuring visibility, I have helped shape an environment where team members feel empowered to speak up and share their ideas. Actively listening to their insights and gaining their buy-in has been crucial in this process. I maintain a taking action kaizen newspaper that captures suggestions that I couldn’t complete each week, update it with progress and share it with the team in a weekly email, this has been a helpful tool for everyone. This approach not only encourages team members to offer solutions but also promotes a sense of ownership and engagement. As a result, we have cultivated a high-performing team that is dedicated to continuous improvement and exceptional patient care. This collaborative and inclusive atmosphere has been instrumental in driving our success and ensuring that every voice is heard and valued.
I have developed an environment of gratitude and appreciation, being very intentional about specific and frequent recognition. Being focused on this aspect creates a positive, cheerful and fun department to be a part of. Our team makes it a priority to acknowledge both small gestures of thanks and significant achievements through enCore, WOW cards, hand-written thank you cards, and weekly gratefulness emails. We also deliberately take time to pause and celebrate often, whether it’s passing an MQSA inspection, a technologist passing a new registry, onboarding new team members, offering a new service, no findings in a TJC survey, new equipment, and much more. We acknowledge and spotlight the great things we do. We celebrate in various ways, and there’s always some kind of food involved!
Q: What goals do you have for yourself in the next 5 years?
A: Continued growth and development as a leader are essential for both personal and organizational success. By aligning my skills with opportunities that support the organization’s goals, I can effectively contribute to its mission and vision. This involves seeking out new challenges, embracing learning opportunities, and staying adaptable to change. By doing so, I not only enhance my own capabilities but also inspire and empower my team to strive for excellence.
My commitment to professional development ensures that I am always prepared to meet the evolving needs of the organization, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and innovation. This proactive approach helps in building a resilient and high-performing team dedicated to achieving outstanding results.
FUN FACTS
Favorite hobby:
Volunteering and participating in a variety of community events.Favorite show:
I do not watch TV or have a favorite show. I spend my time reading instead.Favorite food:
Mediterranean cuisineFavorite vacation spot:
Anna Maria Island, Florida1 Thing on Your Bucket List:
To cultivate a lush, homegrown garden in my yard, brimming with numerous delightful vegetables and fruits. Possibly add a few chickens to peck around the yard too.Something your co-workers don’t know about you:
Something people might not know about me is that I love singing 90s and 2000s songs. Even though I don’t have the best singing voice (at all, ha-ha), I have a blast belting out some of my favorite tunes from that era. It’s all about having fun and enjoying the music!
