Her Story
About Stephanie
Stephanie Smith has worked in healthcare for more than 13 years, beginning her journey after earning her Radiologic Technology degree in 2011. As a CT technologist specializing in pediatrics, she plays a critical role in guiding children and their families through some of the most stressful and vulnerable moments in medical care. From IV placements to imaging related to cancer diagnoses and other serious conditions, her focus is on reducing fear and creating an environment where patients feel safe, supported, and understood.
In her day-to-day work, Stephanie blends technical expertise with deep compassion, recognizing that the emotional experience of a child often matters just as much as the clinical outcome. She builds lasting relationships with the families she serves, often caring for the same children over time and witnessing their growth through repeated visits. These connections are at the heart of her practice, transforming difficult procedures into moments of trust, comfort, and even positivity for patients who often arrive anxious or afraid.
Stephanie defines her greatest professional achievement not by awards or titles, but by the impact she has on her patients’ experiences. Her success is measured in moments when a frightened child leaves an exam saying the experience “wasn’t scary” or even “was fun.” Guided by compassion, patience, and a commitment to preserving humanity in healthcare, she continues to dedicate herself to making some of life’s hardest moments a little easier for the children and families she serves.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Stephanie
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to staying connected to the why of what I do. In healthcare, it's really easy to get into a negative mindset with being short-staffed and everyone being sick, and it's easy to get down. Staying connected to my why, speaking up to improve patient care and workflow, staying engaged, and continuously educating myself is what keeps me going and helps me succeed.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I ever received was to remember to trust my instincts and stay true to my values. Don't forget where you started and who you are, and don't let anybody get you down. This advice has helped me maintain my integrity and authenticity throughout my career, even when facing challenges in the fast-paced healthcare environment.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell young women entering healthcare to trust yourself and be authentic. In the world we live in, it's fast-paced with so many things pulling us in five different directions at the same time. Protecting your own peace and energy and investing in yourself is extremely important in today's world. Stay true to your values and don't forget who you are, but also remember to prioritize your own wellbeing so you can continue to show up for others.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges right now in healthcare are that technology is booming and changing all the time, but we've got to remember to balance that with human connection. People don't want a machine to do everything for them. We drive into the drive-thru and it's a machine talking to us, repeating everything back, and there's no human connection whatsoever. In healthcare, we have to remember that we're humans working with humans, and we are all not perfect. It really matters that we make that little bit of connection, even one minute of connection, finding that common ground. Patients are going to remember how we made them feel long after they remember what brand of scanner is in the building or what type of scan they had. They won't remember any of that, but they will remember that I gave them a warm blanket or made them laugh. That's the challenge, remembering the human element.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are integrity, authenticity, compassion without judgment, self-respect, and advocacy. These are the five values I'm working on this year. I usually change my focus each year, but keep the same core values because everything is continuous. These values guide how I show up for my patients and their families, and how I navigate the challenges of working in healthcare.
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