Practice rename's radiology suite after retiring long-time rad tech

A family practice in South Carolina is honoring one of its own by naming a radiology suite after its long-time radiologic technologist. 

Wanda Chester, RT, received the news during an Oct. 31 retirement reception dedicated to her decades of contributions to Central Carolina Sandhills Family Care in Sanford, North Carolina. The beloved technologist worked at the practice for 30 years, according to a Central Carolina Hospital Facebook post. 

Ann McConville, wife of practice provider Robert McConville, MD, said Chester “opened the doors of that practice with us in 1996 and has been there every day since. She saw the building being erected, walked in, wanted to help design the X-ray suite, and has run it ever since.” 

“You are truly the most efficient and fastest X-ray technician I know, and the most accurate as well,” Dr. McConville told Chester during the reception. “We appreciate all the other things you’ve done in the practice to help us out, besides doing X-ray, and we will miss you tremendously.” 

Practice Manager Pam Blevins also praised Chester’s dedication to the practice, sharing that Chester was a team player and often took on duties outside of her role. 

“Patients, staff and providers love her,” said Blevins. “She has helped with other duties throughout the years, and we will all miss her.” 

The radiology department at the clinic will now be referred to as the Wander Chester X-Ray Suite. 

The technologist’s honor came just days prior to the start of National Radiologic Technology Week. The annual event, which was created to honor the contributions of imaging technologists like Chester across the country, will wrap up on Nov. 8; this date coincides with the anniversary of the day when Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered the X-ray, on Nov. 8, 1895.