Name and how long you have been in the industry
My name is Amber Sportsman and I am the Treasurer of WIL (Women in Leadership).
My introduction to the Diagnostic Imaging Industry began in 1990, a mere 34 years ago. My path to HTM started with a mobile ultrasound company based in St. Louis MO.
Short background bio – How did you get into the industry? Anything that drew you in?
I was a young 20 something looking for an “office” job. As I began in Accounts Payable, industry knowledge wasn’t a requirement however I quickly took on additional responsibilities including Accounts Receivable and Scheduling which is where I started learning about ultrasound. Little did I know I would spend 14 years with that company and walk away as their Director of A/R. Fast forward to 2006 and I was again given an opportunity to make my mark in imaging as the first employee of MW Imaging, a service, parts and probe company. 16 years later I’m still here and loving it!
What milestones or contributing factors helped elevate you to where you are today?
I’ll be the first to admit, I have zero technical knowledge, show me a heart and I’ll look for a baby, CW vs. PW is like a foreign language to me! My Type A personality was challenged by the opportunity to make a difference. Processes, while mundane, are an integral part of patient safety. Patient safety is the MOST important aspect of our industry. Having the skillset to develop processes and procedures grants me the ability to contribute to our team’s role in this industry.
I would not be in the position I am in without the fantastic mentors and co-workers I have had the pleasure of working with through the years.
What roadblocks did you have to overcome?
I’ve spent the majority of my career behind the scenes, so within my companies I’ve experienced very few roadblocks, though there have been some. Although I attended college, I never graduated. There have been occasions where I feel my qualifications have been questioned because of this. I would say though being a petite woman, who sounds like a 14 year old, has contributed to occasions where my leadership has been questioned. Customers think I’m the receptionist! I think this judgement has pushed me harder to prove to the world that “I can do it”!
What do you feel makes a great leader in this industry?
100% is understanding that you are not better than those you lead. I always tell my team, “someone has to be in charge and that just happens to be me”. Step into the trenches and contribute to the daily workload, lead by example, allow others to shine, give credit where credit is due, congratulate a job well done, allow your team to have a voice and treat others the way you wish you had been treated as you were making your way to the position you are in today.
What advice to you have for the other women in HTM?
Have a mentor, or ten mentors! Surround yourself with people you respect and aspire to “be like them”. Push yourself, not because you are a woman but because you want to succeed. One thing that helped me achieve my position was I never said “I can’t do that” or “that’s not my job”. Be willing to figure out the hard stuff (see mentor above). Don’t let your self- doubt ever let you fail. Most importantly, be true to yourself and your dreams. You’ve been given a wonderful opportunity to make your mark in a traditionally male dominated industry, charge ahead and know that you can do this!
Thanks for taking the time to read my story.
Amber Sportsman ambers@mwimaging.com