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BHS In the Community

Women's Imaging Center Receives Komen Grant
June 19, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE BMC WOMEN’S IMAGING CENTER IS RECIPIENT OF 2008 SUSAN G. KOMEN GRANT IN SUPPORT OF COMMUNITY AWARENESS PROGRAMS PITTSFIELD, MA – The Women’s Imaging Center at Berkshire Medical Center has been selected, for the third straight year, as a recipient of funding from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer awareness organization. The Women’s Imaging Center at BMC received $40,000 from the Massachusetts affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, part of an overall $1 million in community grants across the state. The BMC program has previously received a total of $80,000 in its first two Komen grants in 2006 and 2007. “This generous funding will help us to continue to bring more awareness to our community about breast cancer,” said Kathy Hart, RN, Patient Care Coordinator for the Women’s Imaging Center at BMC. “Through this we can enhance our efforts focusing on several initiatives that help to promote preventive screening and provide our breast cancer patients with the support they need.” The $40,000 grant will provide funding for promotional activities to encourage mammography screening, two 8-week wellness programs, hats, wigs and mastectomy supplies that are not covered by a patient’s insurance, the annual event held in Pittsfield in October to celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, collaboration with the Healthy Communities Access Program utilizing the BHS Community Outreach Van and other programs. “The Massachusetts affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure provides opportunities for everyone to help make a significant difference in the battle against breast cancer,” said Jeanette Beltran, Director of Community Initiatives. “Everyone who supports our work by volunteering or participating in events highlighting breast cancer awareness can feel good about meeting breast health needs within the area we serve, while helping to move Susan G. Komen for the Cure closer to our vision of a world without breast cancer.” The Women’s Imaging Center at BMC combines breast imaging and diagnostic services and Osteoporosis screenings under one roof. The Center provides mammography, stereotactic biopsy, bone density testing and ultrasound in a warm and comfortable environment, and has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology’s (ACR) Commission on Quality and Safety and Commission on Breast Imaging. The Women’s Imaging Center at BMC is also the only provider in the region to offer Breast MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), a state-of-the-art technology utilizing a special breast coil designed to aid in the diagnosis of breast cancer and will soon offer digital mammography screening. With this technology, BMC provides a level of diagnostic care for breast cancer patients on par with prestigious centers like Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. A unique component of the Women’s Imaging Center at BMC is a comprehensive patient support program for women dealing with health issues. Led by Kathy Hart, RN, a breast cancer survivor, this program ensures that women know the options and services that are available and helps them to navigate what can be a confusing health system. Medical leadership of the Women’s Imaging Center at BMC is provided by Lisa Loring, M.D., the most experienced women’s imaging specialist in the Berkshires with a fellowship in breast imaging from Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.