Caitlyn was born at Whitehorse General Hospital (WGH). Today she manages the hospital’s Medical Imaging team. Using advanced technology, they capture detailed images—such as x-rays and ultrasounds— helping physicians make medical decisions. Their work highlights everything from fetuses to broken bones and gives medical staff a clear look at what’s happening inside the body.
Caitlyn grew up here, studied outside the Yukon and decided to come back.
Let’s learn about her career path into management and her role with Yukon Hospitals.
Could you introduce yourself and what you do?
I’m Caitlyn and I am the manager of the Medical Imaging Program with Yukon Hospitals. We provide imaging services in X-ray, Fluoroscopy, Ultrasound, MRI, CT and Mammography. I manage the staff that support and offer these services and oversee the program components related to imaging services in the Yukon.
What do you like about this role?
I really enjoy getting to work with a team of dedicated individuals that are focused on patient care who make sure that patients get the attention and imaging exams they need to help them through their medical journey.
Without imaging, you often don't get to move through your healthcare journey as effectively!
What’s unique about working in the Yukon?
Here at Whitehorse General Hospital, we are very busy despite our size. WGH is the only facility in the Yukon that offers a broad range of advanced imaging support and services. Because of this, we provide imaging for all types of patients—emergency, outpatient, inpatient, and surgical—making every day dynamic and diverse.
What advice would you have for somebody who is considering a career in Yukon health care?
As an imaging technologist in Whitehorse, you get to develop strong working relationships with all areas of the hospital. You become an involved member of the patient’s care team in a way that is not always possible at bigger sites.
At WGH, we value work-life balance. We live in a beautiful environment with access to many opportunities outside of work. We like to focus on being here and doing the best job you can for the patients, but then also having that opportunity to focus on yourself - to explore the outdoors, participate in arts and culture or go to your sporting game in the evening.
How is the technology you use here?
Because of our remote location we want to ensure our equipment functions well and is reliable so that we can seamlessly offer services to patients. For this reason, we update and maintain our imaging equipment according to national standards to ensure the technology is up to date and functioning within the required safety standards.
We’re one of the only northern hospitals in Canada that has an MRI which is really something special.
You were born here, could you tell us about that?
Yes, I was born right here in Whitehorse at this hospital actually! After highschool I completed an undergraduate degree in biology at the University of Victoria and then received my diploma in Medical Radiation Technology at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT).
This year I celebrate my 15-year anniversary with Yukon Hospitals. I was fortunate to start at WGH as a student from NAIT completing my clinical practicum here, and upon graduation immediately got a job as an X-ray technologist. After about three years I moved into a supervisor role as the Charge Technologist and was in that position for approximately seven years and five years ago I became the manager of the department.
I feel very fortunate that I was able to return to Whitehorse and continue to call it my home and that I am now able to raise my own family here and share with them the great experiences I was fortunate enough to have been raised in the Yukon!