Rita began her career as a Radiologic Technologist with San Mateo County in 1978. She first rotated to “Chope Hospital” as a student technologist and decided public service was her career choice. It was quickly recognized that she had outstanding organizational and leadership skills and she was assigned floor supervision. She has continued to lead and supervise the staff through a world of technical advancements and medical care changes for over two decades.
Rita has always been forward thinking in her technical pursuits. She was among the first technologists at SMMC to learn CT scanning. She attended training sessions locally and in Wisconsin to prepare for the installation of the department’s first CT scanner in 1989 and again, accepted a leadership role as Senior Technologist in CT, training and supervising other technologists. She supports staff in daily activities but also supports their advancements and learning opportunities. She has great loyalty to staff, and in turn, their respect for her is apparent.
Rita is very creative in accomplishing new programs with little or no funding. She is responsible for the Mammography program, including accreditation and licensing of two mammography units.
Recently, she took on the role of three individuals in her manager’s absence: Director, Supervisor and IT Administrator in the midst of two major upgrades and projects. Each of the projects was publicly seamless due to her incredible efforts and coordination. If there is a project in which Rita is involved, there is confidence it will be done with accuracy and integrity.
Most of all, Rita has incredible compassion for patients and is dedicated to quality patient care. Day or night, no matter what the situation, she has her heart in the right place. As a radiology technologist, she consistently does her very best to provide quality-imaging services for her patients. But with Rita, that is not where it stops. She genuinely cares for her patients’ comfort and overall well-being and extends her compassion to her patients’ family and friends as well.
Our County is fortunate to have Rita Kavanaugh as one of its outstanding employees.
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