Tammie Wells, BSRT(N), CNMT, RT(N)
MIRS Alumni Spotlight
Describe your career and current position, role and responsibilities.
I graduated from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center with a Bachelor of Science in Radiologic Technology - Nuclear Medicine in 1993. My first employment experience was at Valley View Regional Hospital in Ada, Oklahoma. Being a smaller rural hospital, I truly believe I was able to gather experience as a new graduate, which I would not have been exposed to at a larger institution. After a couple years as a staff technologist, I was named the Nuclear Medicine Supervisor and participated in many leadership activities within the hospital. In 1998, I took a position at Norman Regional Hospital and became the supervisor in 2000. In 2001, I was hired by Norman Clinic, Inc. to develop their outpatient nuclear cardiology department and was later named the Clinic Coordinator for Cardiology. In 2010, Norman Regional Health System acquired Norman Clinic’s Cardiology section and I once again was a Norman Regional Health System employee. After consolidation with another area cardiology group, I was named the Clinic Supervisor of Heart Plaza Imaging where I continue to enjoy my role as a healer. I enjoy being a consultant for Astellas as a guest lecturer and clinical advisor where I travel to facilities and instruct in the use of stress pharmaceuticals for nuclear medicine myocardial perfusion testing. I also enjoy the honor of being a Guest Lecturer for the Nuclear Medicine program and love being able to share my experience and knowledge as a clinical instructor.
Describe your personal life, family, hobbies, and interests.
My husband, Dale, and I have been married for 31 years. We live in Washington, OK where we raised our three children. Our daughter, Jalyn Koch and her husband Levi, live in Elk City along with our three grandchildren; Halleigh, Tah, and Barrett. Our Son, Montana Wells is a graduate of the OSU Agricultural and Bioengineering program. He now lives in Jacksonville, FL where he works for Haskell Consulting. Our youngest daughter, Allison Wells, is finishing her degree in Business and Marketing at Northwestern Oklahoma State University where she just finished her college softball career as a pitcher for the Rangers. Family time is my favorite thing. I have loved watching my kids play ball and participate in FFA and band. I now love spending time with our grandkids and travel to watch their activities. I have 5 brothers and sisters and we are blessed to live close to each other. We love being together at school and family events. We love going to the lake together where we rate each other’s skiing and tubing crashes. I still slalom ski and love tubing with all the kids. My favorite holiday is the 4th of July where my husband, the pyrotechnical engineer, puts on an amazing fireworks display.
How has your education from the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences (formally Radiologic Technology) impacted your career?
I believe the education I received from the Department of Medical Imaging and Radiation Sciences is second to none. The extensive curriculum and clinical experience gave me an amazing foundation to build on throughout my career. I believe truly understanding the anatomy, physiology, and pathology is the difference in being able to critically reason for the best outcome for your patient. We were taught that we were not just pushing buttons or taking pictures. We were making a difference in our patients’ lives.
Describe a special memory from when you were a student in the program.
A special memory as a student that impacted my career was at one of the very first assemblies with the entire Radiologic Technology student body. Professor Barbara Curcio was discussing professionalism and how to be respectful of your patients. She spoke to us about addressing our patients by name and not sweetie or honey. To this day I do not use “pet” names to address anyone and I always remember her if someone addresses me with one.
What would you like prospective students to know before they select a career in your profession &/or any healthcare career?
I would like prospective students to know that before you choose a career in healthcare to make sure you truly enjoy people. You need to be able to care for people even when they may not be happy about you taking care of them. We often see people when they are scared and don’t feel well and we need to be patient and kind.
Given what you know now, is there anything you would do differently if you were just starting your healthcare career?
To be honest, I don’t think I would do anything differently. I believe I have learned from every step along the way and hope to continue to keep learning.