Jeanna Syler assists doctors in diagnosing a variety of medical issues as a radiologic technologist at St. Margaret Mercy Medical Center in Dyer.

On a daily basis her work entails following doctors orders and preparing equipment and patients for diagnostic imagery. She takes general x-rays, fluoroscopy, for upper and lower GI testing and works in surgery particularly for spinal, orthopedic and cysto cases.

Syler also is trained on the O-Arm, equipment that takes regular x-rays and does 3-D scans in surgery; St. Margaret Mercy in the first hospital in Northwest Indiana to have the O-Arm.

"I love helping people when they are at their worst," she said of her motivation to enter the medical field.

Slyer earned an associate degree in radiologic sciences for allied health at Indiana University Northwest and has been employed at the hospital for more than five years.

"The people I work with are amazing; this is the best hospital," she said. "We all get along and are all very close, in and outside of work. I couldn't ask for better co-workers and our manager is an amazing woman. She listens to us and our needs. She's a mediator and mentor."

Going into health care seemed natural for Syler. "Not only is three-quarters of my family in health care, my mothers is a nurse and my dad was an executive director of Advanced Imaging Center.

"It was logical move for me," she added.

Syler is a member of the American Society of Radiologic Technologists and American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. She maintains her training through continuing education classes, at least 24 credits every two years.

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