In today’s culture, it’s not uncommon for a person to work for many organizations throughout his or her career. It’s not even uncommon for a person to have several different careers in a lifetime. It’s not often that we hear about an individual who has been loyal to one organization for 50 years; however, that is exactly what INTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center radiologic technologist Enid Stirling has done.
Last month Stirling was honored at the INTEGRIS Health Caregiver Service Awards in Oklahoma City, along with 340 other INTEGRIS Health caregivers with at least 20 years of service. Stirling was the only caregiver at the banquet to have reached the 50-year milestone.
This week is recognized in the health care world as National Radiologic Technology Week, and while we celebrate all of our radiologic technologists at INTEGRIS Health, we want to give special attention to Enid and her commitment not only to INTEGRIS Bass, but the radiology field as well.
“My father was in the military, and we moved around quite a bit while I was growing up,” Stirling said. Her grandmother lived in Enid, and much of Enid’s time was spent there.
She graduated from Enid High School in 1970 and attended radiologic technologist school at St. Mary’s Hospital in Enid, completing the program in 1972. She came to work at Bass Memorial Baptist Hospital (now INTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center) in July of 1972, at the age 19.
“I guess part of the reason I’ve been here so long, is that I didn’t like moving around when I was younger. I like staying in one place. And there are a lot of good people here.”
She has experienced many changes in medical technology throughout the years. “When I was in school, we developed film in the dark room,” she said.
Stirling points to several reasons for sticking with her career as a radiologic technologist. “I’m never bored, and that’s one thing I really enjoy about my job. I’m always busy, and I get to go to all parts of the hospital, taking x-rays in surgery, OB, the emergency department and labor and delivery. It keeps things interesting.”
She takes pride in her work and making sure she gets quality images for the radiologist to review. “Every patient deserves our undivided attention.”
“Enid’s dedication to her career and patients is unmatched,” Ryan Royal, INTEGRIS Bass Baptist Health Center radiology manager, said. “She is constantly learning and adjusting to new things in the radiology world and always puts her patients first.”
Her work philosophy is based on integrity, “Do the right thing,” she says.
Royal said, “Enid’s 50 years of service to this single facility is the true definition of loyalty. All of us in the radiology department have learned a great deal from Enid, with her many years of experience.”
“I’m proud to have worked here all these years,” Stirling said. “I don’t really feel like it’s been all that long, and it’s been a joy to have worked with so many wonderful people over the years.”
