Senator Young Secures Grant for Women’s Imaging Center @ Brooks Hospital

State Senator Cathy Young today visited Brooks Memorial Hospital to tour the site of the Dunkirk Hospital’s future Women’s Imaging Center. Working collaboratively with Brooks Memorial Hospital, Senator Young was able to obtain a $250,000 NYS Economic Development Assistance Program (NYSEDAP) grant for the purchase of a new Digital Mammography system for the Center.

Brooks has purchased a state-of-the-art Hologic Selenia Full Field Digital Mammography System and will soon begin a complete renovation of the hospital’s mammography services, with the Women’s Imaging Center scheduled to open in Spring 2009.

The new Center will be larger, more comfortable and more patient oriented, and have the benefit of new, advanced digital breast screening equipment. The 700 square foot center will also include a new waiting area, changing rooms, procedure room and DEXA Scan room.  The Mammography staff at Brooks currently performs over 3300 mammograms each year.

“This equipment will save lives,” said Senator Young.  “We need access to cutting edge medical equipment in our communities.  Early detection is vital in the effort to fight breast cancer and can lead to the greater likelihood of cure.  The renovations and imaging system will ensure the availability of preventative healthcare measures in a comfortable setting for those throughout the Dunkirk and surrounding area,” she said.

"This very important project would not have happened without Senator Young and on behalf of the entire community I wish to extend our appreciation for her support,” said Richard Ketcham, President & CEO of Brooks Memorial Hospital.

Digital Mammography is the future of advanced breast imaging with improved image quality, diagnostic sensitivity and reduced patient radiation dose. It is also the platform for the widely heralded Breast Tomosynthesis. This, combined with on-site Breast MRI, Breast ultrasound and a full range of imaging services will maximize the opportunity for early detection and cure when performed in conjunction with the patients local physicians care.

Dr. Jon Muntz, Chairperson of the Department of Radiology gratefully acknowledges Senator Young’s assistance in facilitating the placement of an advanced Digital Mammography unit at BMH.  “This is part of an on-going effort at BMH to continue to provide superior medical imaging services to our Community, comparable or superior to most other regional providers,” Dr. Muntz said.

Hologic is a leader in Digital mammography, known for innovative, high quality systems and the unit being installed at Brooks combines the latest advances in digital imaging technology with sophisticated information management capabilities provide a total solution for digital mammography needs.

This state-of-the-art digital mammography system is the first of its kind in the area and allows patients to receive a lower radiographic dose per visit than analog systems. The digital technology will increase patient capacity and efficiency and reduce turnaround times.