Gretchen L. Shawver

I think radiology is such a perfect field to get into. Keep an open mind and don't pigeonhole yourself into one modality, because you never know what technologies are out there and how our field is growing. I know that MRI, especially, is a field where we are so inundated with technology and it's always, always changing that I can't foresee anyone ever getting bored or even phased out, because they need us so desperately for what we do. I would say get your credentialing, don't stop learning, and keep getting your credentials, because I never thought I would have an MRSO credentialing, an MRI credentialing, and my radiology credentialing, and I'm proud that I have 3 licenses. Many of the people I work with have even more than that, so I'm so proud of them for the constant education that they put themselves through and bettering themselves, because there's no end to what you can do and where you can work. With this licensure, you're always going to have a job - they will never turn you away. You kind of take rest in knowing, no matter where I go, I'm always going to have a position and you're going to be in demand, whether you go to a small little community or a gigantic, thriving industry.

There's a massive shortage of general radiology technologists across the country right now. Last year, we were tasked with hiring nearly 30 employees, which was incredibly challenging given this national deficit. Upper leaders had an idea about bringing people from outside the clinic as travelers - short-term contract employees - but I knew that would cause discord for the staff that are here, that stay here, that have shown longevity and loyalty to this department and to Mayo Clinic. I didn't want to ruffle those feathers, so I had many sleepless nights trying to come up with a plan. Myself and my two assistant supervisors agreed to trial a new hiring process so that we could get people in here without bringing in these travelers, because we really wanted to keep everyone happy and not create that tension in the team. We were able to hire nearly 40 individuals in just shy of 18 months, where there is a shortage across the country, not to mention just Jacksonville. We were able to bring in some wonderful talent, and I'm really happy with that achievement and how we're growing our department by leaps and bounds with some superior staff and people.

I always want to respect my leaders and do what's best for them, to make them shine. That's always been my mentality - I always want to do whatever I can do to make my leaders look even better, to help them do what they need to do with ease. At the same time, I treat my staff as staff, and when I have to be a boss, I have to be the boss, and they know that I'm serious. But they also know I really want what's in everyone's best interest. I want you to come here and be happy and feel safe. I have an open-door policy and work 12-hour days just so that I'm here for day shift and night shift, because I want to be available to the staff. I realized that as a mama with my kids grown out of the house, I just loved the department like a second family, and I don't think anybody else could love them like me. I want to guide them the way I thought the department should be guided. I also value the flexibility that Mayo gave me with different shifts when my children were growing, and as a supervisor, I want to pay forward that on to my employees because I know how valuable that is to have that kind of flexibility and opportunities. And honestly, it's not about me - I even hesitate about taking this interview because I don't want the highlight to be on me, I want it to be on my team.