San Andreas, CA…The Diagnostic Imaging team at Mark Twain Medical Center knows their services can be scary. That’s why they concentrate as much on patient service skills as they do on state-of-the art equipment.
Imaging Services Director Rick Reed explains, “We understand that our tests can create some anxious situations for patients. The equipment can be intimidating, so it’s important we help patients understand the process and make the experience as pleasant as possible. We emphasize these tests are a critical first step in their treatment.”
The department provides a wide range of services and averages some 2,500 tests a month. On-site that includes general X-ray, CT scan, nuclear medicine, ultra sound, mammography, and MRI; plus a mobile PET CT that visits MTMC every other week.

MRI technologist Gary Arvin, at left, pictured with Mark Twain Medical Center Imaging Services Director Rick Reed.

Reed’s career spans 33 years in diagnostic imaging. He came to MTMC three years ago from St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton. He and his wife Kathy live in San Andreas. Their son Gregg is pursuing a career in diagnostic imaging at a Roseville hospital.

He notes, “When I started out, we never realized the overall impact imaging can have on patients and their plan of care. Today, interaction with patients is a major focus.”

MRI technologist Gary Arvin, who is responsible for what is probably the most anxiety-building equipment in the department, echoes that sentiment. “We make a huge difference in people’s lives,” he says, “by easing their fears. We spend time chatting with them, explaining what’s going to happen. Each patient presents a unique situation that we react to individually.”

He notes, “The magnetic resonance imaging scan uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the organs and tissues within the body. Its cylindrical shape and loud noises can definitely be scary to patients. When I can see a patient is apprehensive, I just talk it through with them and once they understand what’s happening I can see them calming down.”

Arvin is a graduate of Bret Harte High School in Angels Camp and began his career as an imaging tech at MTMC in 2001. He left for a short period to learn the MRI platform and earned his certification. He worked with a mobile MRI company for eight years and returned to Mark Twain Medical Center in 2011, where today, he operates the hospital’s state-of-the-art MRI system. He and his wife Keisi live in Forest Meadows with their children Keegan and Keilani.

Reed oversees 10 full time technologists and a support staff of 10. “Our techs have long tenure here and are dedicated to their patients. They go beyond what is expected,” he added. “Like recently when one of our X-ray techs spotted something on a film taken late on a Friday. She stayed late, notwanting to wait until Monday to pass the results on to our radiologist. As a result the young patient was admitted for treatment at least a couple of days sooner than if the tech had not put in that extra effort.”

“Having the most up-to-date imaging services available locally is important to the community,” Reed
notes. “It means people can get the immediate medical attention they need without traveling out of
the area and our department is dedicated to making the diagnostic imaging part of the experience
as comfortable as possible.”

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About Mark Twain Medical Center
Founded in 1951, Mark Twain Medical Center is a 25-bed, critical access hospital providing inpatient
acute care, outpatient services and emergency services. The Medical Center’s Medical Staff represents
a broad range of specialties that ensure access to high quality medical care in a rural community. In
addition to being a major provider of health services, Mark Twain Medical Center is also one of the
area’s largest employers. More than 300 people are employed at the hospital and its five Family
Medical Centers. The Medical Center is a member of Dignity Health, the fifth largest not-for-profit
healthcare system in the nation. For more information, please visit our website at
www.marktwainmedicalcenter.org. Mark Twain Medical Center is also on Facebook.