Benney Johnson

Aug. 30, 2021

Clerk’s attention to detail helps patient

Benney Johnson thought the woman standing in front of him needed more than the imaging contrast dye she asked for.

Johnson, an image library specialist who takes turns staffing the UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central radiology department reception window, couldn’t put his finger on it but sensed something wasn’t right with the older woman he was trying to help.

Benney Johnson, a UCHealth Memorial Central image library specialist, came to the aid of a patient. Photo by UCHealth.

“She was holding onto the counter – not just leaning on it,” Johnson, a four-year UCHealth employee, said. “I asked if she was OK several times before telling her ‘you just stay right there, I’ll come to you.’’’

Once inside the patient area, Johnson helped the woman to a chair and sat with her, promising to get the imaging contrast she wanted while also reaching out to an on-call nurse. Within a few minutes, the woman was on her way to Memorial’s emergency department where she was checked for signs of a stroke. She was later admitted.

But Johnson didn’t go back to his job of sending and receiving MRI, CAT scan and X-Ray images, uploading them to patient files and fulfilling provider requests. At least not right away. Because the woman thought she was ducking into the hospital for just a minute, she’d left her car parked in a temporary spot. Johnson took her keys to valet staff, pointed out the car and made sure it got parked appropriately. Then, he returned to the ED to give her the claim ticket.

“She was worried about her car,” Johnson said. “I didn’t want her to get towed or her car to get backed into – that really would have added to her stress level.”

For Scott Smith, Johnson’s supervisor, this was another in a series of good moves by the former semi-professional defensive back who volunteers as a middle school football coach. Johnson came to the department a year ago, having started his UCHealth career in patient transport. Soon, Smith figured out why Johnson seemed familiar. Years earlier, he’d taught Johnson’s mother as a student at Memorial’s School of Radiologic Technology. Johnson’s mother, grandmother and great-grandmother all worked for Memorial Hospital.

Johnson plans to start in the radiology program in early 2022 and hopes to progress to a technician position.

“I want to keep growing and appreciate the opportunity to do so,” Johnson said. “I saw my mom go through radiology school and it was a great influence on me. There’s so much to learn but I’m ready to take on the challenge.”

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