With more than 16,000 co-workers in the Parkview Health system, it’s understandable that we employ some family members.
We met Kell Kugler, systems coordinator, Oncology Department, Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute, as he was wrapping up his almost 38-year career with Parkview. His timing is perfect, as just over one week ago, his wife, Marcie, retired after an incredible 43 years with the health system. While they worked on different campuses, both Kell and Marcie had a hand in cancer patient care.
Quiet and humble, Kell worked hard behind the scenes in the radiation oncology department. For much of his career, he designed custom lead blocks, or Cerrobend, to prevent radiation treatments from affecting patients' healthy parts.
“It was basically like working in a machine shop, and I made about 15 of those a day,” Kell said. “So, that went on for 18 years or so, and then technology changed to the point where they came out with a machine that would actually make the block shape that they needed within the machine. About the time that the blocks were going away, we started looking into having an application that would drive the machines that would tell them what kind of dose they would get and keep track of the dose and things like that.”
Looking back on his career, all of which was on-the-job training, he feels fortunate for how it all played out. “I was just in the right place at the right time is the bottom line,” he said. “And I really liked what I was doing and it made me feel like a big part of the team.”
While Kell has worked at the cancer institute in recent years, Marcie Kugler, RT, retired radiologic technologist, was 25 miles away at Parkview Noble Hospital, first in radiology, and then mammography.
“I liked the feeling of helping people figure out what was causing them to be sick,” Marcie shared. “I had a cousin who did x-ray and it sounded interesting, so I gave it a try. And it was a good fit. Radiology has been very good to me over the years.”
As the couple navigates the bittersweet transition into retirement, they take great pride in the fact that their daughter, Caylin Boles, GYN nurse navigator, Parkview Packnett Family Cancer Institute, followed their footsteps leading to Parkview, and continues to carry the caregiving torch.
“Working together with them was really cool,” Caylin shared. “My dad's the quiet problem solver. He would be on the computer and trying to figure something out. And I really like to do that, too. And I've taken that into the process improvement role, which I really like to do. And then my mom was very big on patient advocacy and making sure the patients were well taken care of and set up for what they needed–always fighting for the underdog.”
When asked what it’s like knowing their daughter followed her parents’ lead, Marcie beamed. “Legacy sounds like a fancy word to me, but knowing that there are people like our daughter that are going to continue to care for people and make a difference in their lives on a day-to-day basis makes you feel good.”
And what’s next for Kel and Marcy? “My wife and I are pretty healthy, and we plan on traveling,” Kell shared. “I'm excited to move on and try some new things.”
Marcie agreed. “We're looking forward to winging it. Hopefully we’ll go west and see where the adventures take us.”
Join us in thanking Kell and Marcie for their many years of healthcare service. We wish you all the best in the adventures that await!
