Medical imaging often helps clarify diagnoses and move patients forward to necessary treatments. So if your medical provider orders a CT, MRI, mammogram or other imaging test, you’ll be glad to know that the Prowers Medical Center Imaging Services Department offers the same state-of-the-art equipment and expertise available in large imaging centers.

Our Imaging Services Department is staffed by 10 radiologic technologists trained to capture the array of image types ordered by providers. “Teamwork is critical in small, rural health care facilities,” said Larry Booker, Imaging Manager. “I could talk about our team members forever. They cover for each other and get cross-trained and certified to be able to do everything needed. It’s a total team effort here.”

In recognition of National Radiologic Technology Week, we’d like to introduce you to just a few of our imaging staff. Please join us in recognizing the invaluable contributions they and all the Imaging Services Department team members make every day in caring for the patients we serve.

Meet Brianna Casillas

Casillas became an ultrasound tech five years ago. She handles general ultrasounds as well as OB/GYN, vascular and adult echocardiograms (ultrasounds of the heart).

“I enjoy listening to patients and trying to help their provider find answers to their concerns,” she said. “One of my favorite things is telling families the gender of their baby. People always have the happiest smiles. It’s been a good experience to work in a rural community because everyone truly cares for each other.”

Casillas has two dogs that she loves taking for walks. She also enjoys reality TV. “’Love Is Blind’ is currently my guilty pleasure!” she said.

It’s Flu Shot Time!

The CDC recommends that with rare exceptions, everyone 6 months and older should receive an influenza vaccination every year.

The flu vaccine protects against serious illness, hospitalization and death.

If you get your shot now, you’ll be protected all winter long.

Flu vaccines are available on a walk-in basis. To schedule appointments for COVID and RSV vaccines, please call 719-336-6767.

Meet Christie Tice

A Lamar native, Tice graduated from the Radiologic Technology program at Pueblo Community College in 1990. She worked at a Pueblo clinic and Fort Lyon VAMC for several years before joining the Prowers Medical Center team in 1997. She specializes in ultrasound and mammography, and also handles X-rays and CT and DEXA scans.

“Every single day I have an opportunity to put my skills to use,” Tice said, “not just in the tests I perform but in the way I treat people. I also enjoy working with my fellow team members, who are like family. This community deserves nothing less than high-quality health care. We are ready and equipped to provide excellent imaging close to home.”

Tice and her husband have three children and one grandchild. “We have spent most of our time keeping up with our kids and their activities, but just recently became empty nesters,” she said.

Meet Tammi Whisennand

Also a Lamar native, Whisennand graduated from the Radiologic Technology program at Pueblo Community College in 1998 and started at Prowers Medical Center in 2000. She is crosstrained in several imaging modalities, but most days you will find her doing MRIs and overseeing the mammography program.

“I love the patient care,” she said. “We strive to give the best care possible to every patient and over the years have worked hard to have stateof- the-art equipment in-house to provide our community with the same quality imaging they would receive in the bigger cities.”

In her free time, Whisennand enjoys cooking and kayaking. She and her husband, Richard, have two grown children and a 1-year-old grandson, Nash. “There is just not

For more information on imaging services offered at Prowers Medical Center, call 719-336-6762.