UPHS — Marquette Heroes | Denae Nadeau, RTR, CT

What is your role at UP Health System – Marquette?
I am a CT Scan Supervisor at UP Health System – Marquette.

What was your inspiration for getting into healthcare?
I grew up with a mother who was an RN and a father who was a teacher. The hospital was located close to our home. My older siblings were all employed by the hospital at one time or another. After high school, I was hired in the Central Supply department at the hospital. I learned some invaluable information about the hospital in my first job. I found out about the Radiography program, applied, and was accepted. After I graduated, I took a job at the same hospital as a Technologist, and that was over 35 years ago. 

What’s a typical day like for you? What is it like working in this field?
A typical day for me would include scanning outpatients, inpatients, emergency room patients, and surgery patients. Computed Tomography (CT) starts with a general schedule and then we are adapting all day long as patients flow through the hospital. An example would be a traumatic car accident or a code stroke that would need emergency imaging. A CT technologist has many roles during the day such as scanning, looking up lab values, taking phone calls, starting IVs, assisting other technologists, transporting patients, doing biopsies, and drainages, charting, and more. All the CT technologists at UP Health System – Marquette are registered in the field of CT scanning. 

How long have you been employed here? Have you always been in the same position?
I have been an employee here for 20 years. I was a staff technologist until December 2015 and the last five years as the supervisor. 

What are some of the big changes you have experienced in this position?
One of the biggest changes was when we relocated to the new hospital. Included in that change was the purchase of three new CT scanners. All of the technologists had to learn new equipment, and our team rose to the challenge. Since our move to the new hospital, we have had equipment upgrades as CT technology is always changing and evolving. 

What are some of your interests outside of work? What is your favorite local gem?
Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my family. I also enjoy snowshoeing in the winter. In the summer, I prefer to be by Lake Superior. There is something therapeutic about being by the water. 

What do you enjoy most about working at UPHS – Marquette?
My enjoyment comes from helping people and making a difference every day. We are all here because we are helpers. I am thankful that I get to work with one of the best teams in the hospital. We work great together and genuinely care about each other here at work and outside of work.