AIS COO Celebrates 20th Work Anniversary

Family-First Approach Creates Job Satisfaction, Growth

Associated Imaging Services (AIS) Chief Operating Officer Mike Shepherd grew up in Wichita, Kansas and never imagined that he would one day have a career in health care. However, 2024 marks his 20th work anniversary!

It is a path that led to a 20-year (and counting) stint at AIS. His leadership through the years has fostered the company’s growth. The family-first approach at AIS makes for a satisfying work environment with opportunities for career development.

AIS CEO Grant Norris says Shepherd embodies the company’s mission of providing outstanding service.

“So many things come to mind when I think of Mike. Hard working, reliable, respectful, the list goes on and on. As a company, our goal at AIS is to provide unparalleled service to our customers. That’s been a very attainable goal having Mike lead our service team,” Norris explained.

AIS Ultrasound Field Service Engineer Scott Bell explained that Shepherd is “calm and kind under pressure, seems like the more that is asked of him the better he performs.”

He added that Shepherd is an amazing boss.

Shepherd is “probably the most understanding and equitable boss I’ve worked for,” Bell said.

AIS Nuclear Field Service Engineer Owen Charboneau is another employee with praise for the COO.

“Mike has always been a hard worker since I’ve been with AIS. He’s always doing what he can to serve our customers and our employees. He thinks of others often and does what he can to make things easy for everyone,” Charboneau said. “Mike is very knowledgeable in the nuclear and ultrasound departments of AIS as well as electrical and other various skills. He’s been a good friend and leader to me, and I’ve always appreciated his willingness to help me and train me. Happy 20th Mike!”

For Shepherd, the past 20+ years have all lead to his current role. It all started after he earned an associate degree and served as an aviation electronics specialist in the U.S. Navy.

When asked how he first became aware about a possible medical imaging career, he explains that it came “from a Navy friend of mine who recommended I try going into biomed for hospitals.”

Much like Shepherd adapted to find a promising career, AIS is agile and flexible to meet the needs of its clients.

“We’ve adapted to meet those needs of our customers,” Shepherd explains. It is a special part of the AIS approach and one that Shepherd and others have perfected during his 20 years with the company.

Meeting the needs of customers and employees alike is a reason for the company’s continued success and growth.

One secret to AIS’s success is “having a family-first attitude about every employee. This concept has not only allowed us to retain the best employees but has also helped our business grow,” Shepherd says.

Growth that should continue in the years ahead.

“I see exponential growth while keeping to our original commitment of customer satisfaction,” Shepherd says.

AIS has been offering nuclear medicine and ultrasound solutions since 1990 and is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025! AIS specializes in sales and service of new and refurbished nuclear medicine cameras and ultrasound systems throughout Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Iowa, Florida, and the surrounding areas.

AIS is recognized for its ability to service and provide parts for a wide range of nuclear medicine equipment including GE, SMV, Siemens, Philips, ADAC, Mediso and more. If you are looking to add or upgrade a nuclear medicine camera, AIS has a variety of options for you to consider including new and refurbished cameras and processing stations.

On the ultrasound side of things, AIS can also provide new and refurbished equipment along with many service options. Its talented ultrasound engineers routinely provide service on GE, Acuson, Siemens, Philips, Toshiba, Mindray and Alpinion ultrasound systems.

Associated Imaging Services wants to be a resource for you on all your nuclear medicine and ultrasound needs. Contact us today, you’ll be glad you did!