Columbia Memorial | Health Compass | Winter 2019

Years at CMH: 28 Peggy Church looks forward to coming to work every day. She always has, she says. Since 1990, she has worked as an Imaging support staff member. Originally one of two, now there are seven. “The people in this department have been such a family to me,” she says. “They’re always there for you—support, just the love. I think that’s mostly what we’re about in here—each other.” The friends-turned-family from the department supported her when she lost her husband and other family members in a short time. They are what keep her here. Peggy has always had a career in the medical field, starting work as a certified nursing assistant when she was in high school. Originally from Texas, she moved to Oregon with her husband to go to school and work. When she started at CMH, she worked in a hallway with a desk and a typewriter. Members of the department used to have hat or scarf days during the lunch hour, and all the caregivers would deck themselves out in their best hats or scarves—a stress reliever, she says. Now they’ve grown so much, they get together with an annual Christmas party. Peggy is beginning to think about retirement. She hopes to be able to take her time going down the coast to California, relaxing and enjoying the scenery. After retiring, she thinks she would like to volunteer somewhere— “Maybe at CMH,” she says, laughing. For now, she enjoys spending her time walking on the beach, celebrating holidays with her family and collecting antiques. Peggy Church, Imaging Support Staff Mary Kellow, Lead Mammographer Years at CMH: 20 Connie Dubb interviewed at CMH twice before getting a job, the first time with Chuck Chitwood and the second with Tammy Fastabend. She has now been a part of the Imaging Services Department for 20 years. Although she originally thought about becoming a dental hygienist, she went to the Oregon Institute of Technology and found it was not her thing. Instead, after speaking with a family friend who was an x-ray tech, she decided to pursue studies in imaging technology. Connie is a third-generation Astorian, and following her graduation from OIT, she wanted to return to the area. Her first interview with CMH didn’t pan out, so she got a job in Ocean Beach, Washington. She later had a medical exam at CMH, during which her father learned of another opportunity. “Tammy was the tech, and Dad chatted with her,” Connie says. “It’s Tammy’s fault.” Connie got the job, and she has been at CMH ever since. She echoes the other caregivers who say the department is a second family. “The people in this department are what keep you coming back every day,” she says. “We’ve been here a long time together. It’s a good place to work.” Connie enjoys the small community and caring for patients, many of whom she knows. A lot of her friends and neighbors are patients, and she likes helping them. She also values the radiologists who show the caregivers they are cared for. “When it comes to the holidays, they’ve always done a Christmas party for us,” Connie says. “It shows what a family we are. It’s nice they appreciate us so much.” When she isn’t busy working, Connie likes to hike, bike and travel. She and her husband have been to Honduras, Fiji, Bermuda, and many Caribbean locales to scuba dive. She looks forward to helping her two kids with future grandchildren and traveling more during retirement. Connie Dubb, MRI Technologist Years at CMH: 24 Mary Kellow became a registered x-ray technologist 46 years ago. She had always liked science and medicine, and after working as an x-ray secretary, she says, “the rest is history.” For the past 24 years, Mary has worked at CMH. She is now the lead mammographer. She was working at Tillamook County General Hospital (now Tillamook Regional Medical Center) when her husband’s job transferred him to Astoria, and she joined CMH. Now, she says, “This is home.” Mary and her husband have spent most of their working lives in Astoria and have raised three daughters here. When she first started at CMH, the hospital only employed about 120 people. Now, there are more than 600 CMH caregivers. “Working with people and providing the best medical care I can give them is the best part of the job,” she says. “Staying up with all the new technology can be the most challenging aspect.” When she isn’t working, Mary enjoys gardening, traveling, reading and hiking with her husband. She likes to stay healthy and is looking forward to enjoying retirement with her family. COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG WINTER 2019 5