For Holley, healthcare has always felt like something she was destined to do. Growing up, she watched her father, a veterinarian, perform what seemed like pure miracles. “His love for medicine was inspirational,” Holley recalls. “There wasn’t a single defining moment that pushed me into healthcare—it was more of an innate calling.”
Holley’s journey into radiology is especially unique, as it combines two of her lifelong passions: healthcare and photography. “I have been fascinated with the beauty and complexity of the human body from a young age,” she says. “Knowing I was born to be a part of the medical world, I also grew to love photography.” In her early twenties, Holley realized that radiology offered a career that blended both her interests perfectly. “I absolutely love what I do, and that is a beautiful blessing.”
Holley’s Mosaic of Experience
Over the course of her two-decade career, every moment has contributed to shaping Holley, both professionally and personally. “20 years’ worth of stories and experiences have molded me into the radiologic technologist I am today,” she reflects. “I am a mosaic of them all. Some stories and experiences are sad, flat-out life-altering, happy, or humbling, and some required me to look beyond every belief and thought process I had ever known.”
Through it all, Holley feels a deep sense of appreciation. “I am grateful that I was encouraged to grow, not just as a healthcare worker, but as a human being,” she says. “I’ve learned that I am still just as capable of learning something new every day,” she shares. This belief has become one of her daily mottos: “Learn something new every day; it doesn’t matter who teaches you.”
For Holley, making mistakes or not having all the answers doesn’t signify weakness, but serves as a reminder of our humanity. “We are designed to continue to strive for growth and knowledge,” she emphasizes. “We may have bad moments, but we don’t have bad days.” In a hospital setting, teamwork and setting aside your ego is essential. “We should build interdepartmental bridges, not walls. It is each of our jobs to advocate for the best care we can offer our patients as we work together harmoniously.”
Compassion, she admits, isn’t always easy, and challenges are common, but shifting perspectives often brings grace and understanding to get us through. “One of my favorite sayings about radiology is that we get to see what people are really made of. To this day, I haven’t done a single chest x-ray where a patient doesn’t show me their heart.”
A Leap Toward Growth
Three years ago, after some self-reflection, Holley realized it was time for a change. “I did some self-evaluating and discovered it was time for me to leave an area of comfort I had known for 17 years.” With the support of her husband and adult children, she decided it was time for forward progress and began working with her recruiter, Selena Kutschara, at Aureus Medical Group, part of the Medical Solutions family.
“Becoming a travel radiologic technologist allowed me to tap into different realms of my life.” She says travel added a new dimension to her career, giving her opportunities to explore the country, meet people from diverse backgrounds, and experience various cultures. “While I work incredibly hard, I also play hard,” Holley adds. “I have never been happier in my career, and I do not choose those words lightly,” she reflects. “Not only do I love what I do, but I love that I am working for a company that appreciates me.”
Recently, Holley was honored with the prestigious Rose Award, a moment that left her full of emotion and gratitude. “Being nominated was such an honor within itself,” she says, but winning the award gave her some much-needed validation. “I was reassured that I make a difference. I was reassured that I am doing exactly what I was meant to do; I am making a positive impact wherever I go. I was reassured that all the defining moments, achievements, experiences and lessons have molded me into an allied healthcare worker who is forging a path to be proud of,” she shares.
Life Outside of Work
Outside of work, Holley and Corey, her husband of 25 years, and their travel fur baby, Phoebe, take full advantage of any adventure within an eight-hour radius while she’s on contract. When not traveling, you’ll find them spending time with their close-knit circle of friends, fur babies, and grown children: Madelyn (24), Mason (22), and Madelyn’s husband, Hunter. “My absolute favorite thing is how much we laugh at and with each other—adult children really are so much fun!”
Holley’s journey shows the power of dedication and the importance of remaining open to growth, even after two decades in the field. As she continues to embrace new challenges and experiences, Holley’s unwavering passion and gratitude remind us that a meaningful career is one where you never stop learning, growing, and making a difference.
