MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center Celebrates Two Colleagues’ Induction into the NICC Hall of Fame

Christie Schwager, imaging director, and Dawn Hedrick, radiology technologist, both at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center, were recently inducted into the Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC) Hall of Fame.

Christie’s story

Enrolling in the X-ray program at NICC, Christie gained experience in a clinical and hospital setting. This is where she learned that working in a hospital better suits her interests. She enjoys the excitement of never knowing what her day will include. 

Christie was hired at MercyOne as a diagnostic X-ray technologist in 2005, where she was cross-trained in mammography in 2008.

With her eyes on a leadership role, Christie returned to school in 2013 for her bachelor’s degree and later earned her master's degree in 2020. Now, she’s the director of imaging at MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center. 

“I enjoy my team; they are all here for the right reasons and want to provide the best care possible to their patients,” Christie said. “They are all very hard-working and are great individuals.”

Dawn’s story

Dawn, who has been with MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center for 28 years, attended NICC to earn a degree in radiology.

“I had such a great experience as a student at MercyOne, and the techs were great to work with, so I wanted to work here when I graduated,” Dawn said. “I graduated on a Thursday and started here on the following Monday, and have been here ever since.”  

Although Dawn’s responsibilities have evolved over the years, she still enjoys her work. In her current role at MercyOne, she is the key link between radiology and surgery. She trains new staff on surgical equipment upon hire and coordinates X-ray procedures in surgery with physicians and radiology.

“I love going to surgery for X-ray; I could be over there all day long,” Dawn said. “I like the challenges I have to get good images and how I have a great relationship with the colleagues and physicians.”  

“We have a great team in radiology; I think we all work well together, and we take on all the challenges we are given every day,” Dawn said. “We all help each other out and do what’s best for our patients.”

Additionally, Dawn is an instructor at NICC. When she was a student, her instructors left a lasting, positive impression on her, and she wanted to do the same for the next generation of NICC students.

“I became an instructor 14 years ago to be able to help the students learn and succeed in this field and give them knowledge to be a wonderful tech when they graduate,” Dawn explained.

Her dedication to the field and her students made a lasting impression on her fellow NICC colleagues, who nominated her for induction into the NICC Hall of Fame.

“I was very honored to be nominated by my fellow colleagues at NICC for this award because they think I have given back to my community and have seen the dedication I give each day to this profession,” Dawn said. “I volunteer for extra shifts to help at both MercyOne and NICC. I work well with others and get along great with the physicians I work with. I care for my patients and students. I try to share my knowledge with my students and help to guide them during their schooling, so they get the best education possible.”