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SALT LAKE CITY — In 1959, Wilene Lowther came through the doors at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center and began working in the lab as a technician. She says she actually didn't think she'd be here that long.
"Well, I really thought that one year would look good on a resume," Lowther said.
At age 75, Lowther still loves her work as a medical technologist. She actually retired in 2002, telling her husband, 'let's sell the house and travel in the motor home.'
"So, we did that for three weeks. And we went down to Tucson and I said, 'OK, now we're going home, this is too much, not going to sell the house,' " she said.
She returned to the lab, now starting her 55th year.
"I wouldn't be working now if I didn't like all the people I work with," Lowther said.
Her coworkers say the feeling is mutual.
"She helped me a lot, she taught me a lot, what I didn't know, so, it was great," said lab technician Raisa Yanovsky.
Lowther has seen remarkable medical advancements over the decades.
"We would look at 21 units of blood for a heart surgery and, now, when we do heart surgery, the surgeon usually orders two units of blood and he may or may not use those two," she said.
And comfort levels in the lab since 1960 have improved immensely as well.
"Our air conditioning system consisted of a little pan of ice with gauze with a little fan behind it, so that it would blow cold air at us," she added.
Her boss says she remains impressive at a stressful job.
"She has that special ability to be wise in what she does, so she's a terrific mentor for the younger employees that we have," said lab director Mike Ferguson. "She is just a fabulous example of what it should be like."
Lowther fills her days by staying mentally and physically active by spending time with family and friends and going golfing and bowling.
"Don't want to take it easy, i'm too busy," Lowther said. "Got to keep going, let's not be stopping."
When asked about her future, Lowther says she thinks she "just might as well go for another five years. Iasis Healthcare has 24,000 employees. Lowther currently has more years on the job than anyone else and her employee No. 1.
