by Tammy Taylor
Staff Writer
The main objective for Carol Stokes, business director for Southbank Imaging Services in San Marco, is to ensure the comfort and ease for MRI and X-ray patients she cares for.
Stokes, a member of the medical field for over 20 years, began as a radiological technologist.
“I enjoy the business aspect of my job now, but for many years I loved the hands-on patient care,” she said.
Being on the business end of radiology, her job now is to bring in business while managing a staff of four at the diagnostic imaging center.
“I approach physician offices, workers compensation and case managers/adjusters to offer services for their patients,” she explained. “Here we track sources and offer same or next day appointments and we have a 24-hour turn around on reports and images.”
The imaging center uses high-field magnets, often called closed magnets, and open magnets if the patient can’t lay down in the typical MRI machine.
Stokes said the most enjoyable aspect of her job is “providing a pleasant and comfortable facility for patients to have their diagnostic studies performed.” She does this by providing a serene atmosphere so a patient’s visit is positive.
“If coming here can make a patient think, ‘these are nice people, there was good service and I’m glad I came here,’ then it’s all worth it,” said Stokes. “I think you can’t be in any aspect of the medical field and not have that attitude.”
A native of Jacksonville, Stokes resides in Mandarin with her husband of 31 years, John.
Stokes and her husband are avid sailors; they own a refurbished 1946 wooden sailboat, which they use frequently.
Stokes has also performed with several local bands. Although on a brief hiatus from singing three or four times a week, she plans to return to the stage soon.
“I’m in a band called Two Car Garage, which is made up of people from different bands I’ve been in in the past,” said Stokes. “There’s just tremendous talent in this town.”