Stephanie Tompkins’ mother, who passed away in February, instilled in her daughter a belief that everyone should work hard and face new challenges without fear.

The Montville High School graduate (Class of ‘99) has followed that advice, and it’s a big part of the reason she is now manager of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine for Lawrence + Memorial and Westerly hospitals.

“I started in the L+M cafeteria in the summer of 1999,” Tompkins said. “I knew I wanted to go into health care but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. My mom said, ‘Get a job at the hospital. See what happens.’”

Tompkins immediately started using her cafeteria position to learn about health care.

“I picked people’s brains while I was making their sandwiches,” she recalled. “I talked to different people to find out what they liked about their jobs.”

Eventually, and again with her mom’s guidance, Tompkins decided to become an X-Ray tech. She went back to school full-time while working nights and weekends at the hospital.

Then, when an opportunity to study Interventional Radiology in the Catheterization Lab at L+M presented itself, she applied. “I really, really enjoyed it,” she said. “When I graduated, I sought a position as an X-Ray tech in the Cath Lab.”

Tompkins had found her niche.

“I loved the work and I loved the people,” she said, noting that she stayed in the Cath Lab for many years. However, last year, when the manager’s job in Radiology opened, it was Tompkins’ mother once again who encouraged her daughter to apply. One of the people Tompkins interviewed with was Todd Blue, MD, chairman of Diagnostic Imaging.

“What makes Stephanie so special is that, first and foremost, she is extremely nice and very easy to work with,” Blue said. “As important, Steph is very smart and is always eager to learn. She is a great team player and always goes out of her way to help our patients and the people she works with.”

Today, Tompkins lives in Waterford with her wife, Danielle, and their son, Luke. She said her career is always challenging – and always rewarding.

“I’ve had nothing but support from my team, my supervisors and my colleagues,” she said.

“My favorite part of the day is rounding with staff,” Tompkins added. “I like seeing everyone and hearing how their days are going. I care about their wellbeing, truly and honestly, because we cannot take great care of our patients if we don’t take care of each other. Personal relationships are really at the core of what we do.”

Tompkins’ mother, undoubtedly, would be proud.

Bill Hanrahan, a former reporter for The Day, works in public relations at L+M.