Staff Testimonials

Amy Beaubien, Imaging Services Director

Amy Beaubien, Imaging Services director, says, "I think my career chose me! I went back to school to get degrees in the field where I was already working (first healthcare IT, then healthcare administration, then a certification in medical imaging leadership)."

Amy has been working at Manatee Memorial Hospital since 1988. "I appreciate that I have the autonomy and support to make things better; for instance, earning accreditations from the American College of Radiology in all modalities and becoming a Diagnostic Imaging Center of Excellence.

“The hospital has been a great place to work for the last 28 years. MMH is fair to employees, has many different opportunities, a benefits package, and the personal fulfillment in handling the daily challenges of a busy healthcare environment”.

Why should others consider Manatee Memorial? "Because it is tough, demanding and rewarding. Working in a hospital environment is tough, with the 24/7 schedules and employees being on-call all the time. It is demanding, with a never-ending flow of patients in an industry that is continuously pushing to do more with less. And it is rewarding: seeing how ideas, hard work, and persistence can make a difference and truly make things better."

La Vern Dunbar, RDCS, Echo Lab Supervisor

La Vern Dunbar, Echo Lab supervisor, says "I really just happen to fall into my career. I was working at another medical facility as a EKG technician. I was preparing to go into nursing school. I wanted more than anything to be a nurse. They came to me and asked if I would be interested in learning how to do echocardiograms, because they needed a second person. I specifically said I will learn it, but I am going to be a nurse. I never went to nursing school. Instead of being a registered nurse, I am a registered sonographer. Fortunately, at the time echo was just in the stage of M-Mode. I have truly grown with this test. I worked at the medical facility for 3 years."

She continues, "My husband is from Palmetto, so when we would come over to visit I would pass the hospital and say I’m going to work there one day. When the opportunity came I was hired in 1983, the supervisor at the time said they were having trouble keeping techs. I told her that I would retire from here. I’ve been here 32 years. I like the fact that my job is hands on, I get to relate and communicate with the patients. I really like the hospital because it’s big enough, but yet small enough to be like a family environment. Manatee is a great place to work, you will have the opportunity to grow and advance."

Dean Steffenhagen, Physical Medicine Director

Dean Steffenhagen, Physical Medicine director, chose the medical field "to be able to make a difference in the lives of individuals who have had a loss in their functional independence as the result of an injury or disease process. I chose Manatee Memorial because it was evident that this facility not only offered quality healthcare services, but had a strong sense of family and team as well. Manatee also offered the opportunity to grow professionally and move into management/leadership roles. I was hired as a staff physical therapist with student responsibilities and have been able to move into first a manager’s position and now serve as Department Director. I have been at Manatee for 25 years.

He continues, "I like being able to manage a strong team of skilled and compassionate therapists who have such a positive impact on the lives of our patients on a daily basis. I also like having the opportunity to brainstorm and problem solve with my peers to improve processes and outcomes. The pool of resources and knowledge base of other leaders has helped me to grow and develop through the years. Manatee Memorial has a very friendly and team-oriented staff. There is a sense of belonging and support from everyone including staff members, peers and senior management. The focus is always on caring, compassion and providing the highest quality health care services.

"If you’re looking for an organization that provides a supportive environment, fosters and encourages professional growth and makes you feel proud to say you work there, Manatee Memorial is for you!"