Team Mummy

Photo: (lf-rt) Miranda Getz, Erica Gates, Victoria Goodwin and Janice Steiner.

In January, 2015, we posted an article on our team of radiologists and technologists that performed the virtual autopsy of a Peruvian child, mummified since around the 15th century. For the CT team of technologists it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Related article: Mum’s the Word: Children’s Asked to Solve Mystery of Child Mummy

Meet the CT team of technologists that scanned the South American infant mummy. The staff of four–Miranda Getz, Erica Gates, Victoria Goodwin and Janice Steiner–tell you in their own words what it was like that day.

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My name is Miranda Getz, BS, R.T. (R). I graduated from the radiology program at Northern Kentucky University (NKU) in 1997 with an associate’s degree. After 14 years, I decided to go back to school to get my bachelor’s. I completed NKU’s online bachelor’s program in 2013.

Immediately after graduating college, I began working at Jewish Hospital on Burnet Ave. After a few months working there, I was informed of a job opening at Children’s Hospital. I interviewed with Rose Martin, manager of diagnostic Radiography at the time, and was offered a full-time job a few hours later. In the past 18.5 years, I have worked primarily as a second shift special imaging diagnostic radiographer at the base. In April 2014, I became the lead technologist, working closely with management while still working as a full-time radiographer. In September 2015, I decided to leave the base and move to the outpatient facilities in order to spend more time with my family. While at Children’s I have been a part of many committees and projects working on bettering patient care, reducing radiation doses, etc.

When I was asked to take the radiographs for the mummy project, I was very excited and curious. My children were just as excited; they couldn’t wait to hear if the mummy was a boy or a girl. It is incredible that we, at Cincinnati Children’s, were given this opportunity to help uncover the mysteries of the Peruvian mummy. It was truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of this project and I am honored I was able to contribute in some small way.

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My name is Erica Gates. I am the CT manager at Cincinnati Children’s. I graduated from NKU in 2001, with an Associate Degree of Applied Sciences. After graduation, I was hired at Cincinnati Children’s as an x-ray technologist in May of 2001. I stayed within the radiography division for 4 (almost 5 years) working days and third shifts as an x-ray technologist. In September, 2005, I was privileged to be able to cross-train in the CT division and shortly became a full-time CT technologist. In 2010, I became an advanced technologist within the CT division and soon after was promoted to lead CT technologist. In 2013, I became the CT manager of both Main and Liberty campuses.

Working with the Mummy was one of the most memorable experiences of my life. When I was presented with the opportunity to be part of this project, I couldn’t help but to think of what an honor this was going to be. The first thoughts that came to my mind… Wow, what an opportunity! This was a real life from the past. I have to admit while scanning the mummy, I got choked up a little bit thinking not only was this a real life from the past, but this was someone’s child…and we treated it as such. I couldn’t have been more proud of our team, and the care and respect we dedicated that night. What an honor to be part of it all!

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My name is Victoria Goodwin and I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in radiation sciences from the University of Cincinnati. I’ve been working at Cincinnati Children’s for 9 years. I’m currently working in the post-processing lab while pursuing MRI certification, but I’ve also worked in x-ray and CT.

It was really exciting being a part of the team that scanned a mummy and help uncover mysteries of the past.

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My name is Janice Steiner and I graduated from Northern Kentucky University with a bachelor of science in health science as well as an associate of applied science in radiologic technology.  I’ve been an employee of Cincinnati Children’s for more than twenty years and currently work in the MRI division as an imaging analyst.  I previously served in positions as a registered CT technologist with MRI experience, and began my career at Cincinnati Children’s as a registered radiologic technologist.  

The ability to assist with and be part of the post-processing team assigned to analyze the imaging data of a Peruvian child mummy more than 500 years old was a surreal life experience for me.