Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Mindy Mitchell, Medical Radiation Technologist

Blog Post

"I’m Mindy Mitchell and I have been a Medical Radiation Technologist for 9 years. Coming from Sioux Lookout, Ontario, I started my career in the North in 2018. My sole interest was to expand my knowledge and skills in Computed Tomography (CT), as this was encouraged in school as highly desired skills in healthcare and in 2019, I accepted a position at Stanton Territorial Hospital.

As I began my new role, my supervisor mentioned there was a need for a Mammography technologist to cover a maternity leave. Although I was completely focused on CT, I have a great want to help where help is needed and to fix things that are broken. She explained that my personality and disposition would make a great Mammography Technologist and training would be provided. I was hesitant to stop my CT training but decided to go ahead with the opportunity into Mammography. 

For two weeks, I completed training in Calgary, Alberta where the experience was excellent and provided me the practical and written knowledge needed to excel at performing mammograms. I continued learning on-site in Yellowknife with our Radiologist and colleagues who were very supportive of my education and learning. 

I believe my link to breast cancer on my maternal side of my family and the new opportunities that this training could open for me, helped to make the decision to learn and expand my skills in Mammography. I’ve been doing mammograms and providing assistance when needed since 2018 and now I perform breast screening and diagnostic exams as well. 

This year, a new opportunity arose, and I now work in Inuvik where I continue to provide screening and diagnostic mammograms. This community used to only be able to run a clinic two times a year when a locum technologist was brought in. Only screening exams were provided and all diagnostic follow-ups had to be flown out to Yellowknife or Edmonton, Alberta. My current goal with the Mammography department in Inuvik now, is to see it become a full-service screening and diagnostic program. Ensuring the people of this Northern community have access to consistent and high-quality care in Mammography. 

I am a mother of three beautiful girls, who are career and business-minded women. I love to walk the different path and test the unknown. Helping people understand the importance of their breast screening and walking them through the whole exam is something I will always do."

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