Plaque presented to CCMH honors Marlette’s contributions

The family of a former chief X-ray technologist donated a plaque in his honor to Carroll County Memorial Hospital.

Melissa Marlette Hazelwood is pictured above presenting a plaque honoring her father, Joe Marlette, to Carroll County Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer Kanute Rarey.

Melissa (Marlette) Hazelwood presented the plaque to the hospital’s chief executive officer, Kanute Rarey, in honor of her father, Joe Marlette. 

Marlette retired from the hospital in 1999 after a 36-year career. He started out as an orderly and a lab technician, eventually, rising to chief X-ray technologist in the radiology department.

A son of Planet and Mildred (Robbins) Marlette, he married Betty Jean Breeden in 1948 after serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.

In 1963, while working at the hospital, he earned his GED and then earned an associate’s degree in radiology from the University of Louisville. In 1970 he earned a degree from the Kentucky State Society of the American Registry of Clinical Radiography Technologists. He later served as president of the organization for three consecutive terms, and served as vice president of the Kentucky State Society of X-ray Technologists.

With the cooperation of the national registry, he helped establish three X-ray teaching schools in Kentucky.

In 1975, Joe was awarded a Distinguished Service Award for outstanding achievements and proficiency in his profession. He also earned a citation for services rendered to the profession and to the registry, and also earned many other awards. 

In 1976, Marlette received a fellowship in the National College of Radiology, Oklahoma City, Okla.

He died in 2009. The plaque was presented before the hospital board in a meeting on Nov. 19, and was later installed in the hallway near the radiology department.