Employees Invited to Attend ‘Pink Party’ as Part of Celebration
Reading Hospital is celebrating the first anniversary of its Mobile Mammography Coach and increasing access to life-saving screenings in the community it serves. In fiscal year 2023, the Mobile Mammography Coach screened 790 women through 97 events. Of those screened, 81.3 percent live in Berks County, and 41.4 percent live in the City of Reading.
Desha Dickson, Tower Health Vice President of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Wellness, added, “Our recent Community Health Needs Assessments showed that our community faces barriers when trying to access healthcare. This could include lack of transportation, inconvenient scheduling hours, lack of childcare, or the need to take time off work. The Mobile Mammography Coach helps to address this by taking screenings directly to patients in their community. We are proud of the work we have done to date with the Mobile Mammography Coach. Our team is consistently working to analyze data and develop partnerships in the communities in need of screenings.”
To learn more about hosting an event in Berks County, please send an email to [email protected]. “Our Mobile Mammography Coach is a success in part because of our community partners who generously host events at their locations. We are always looking for additional partners so we can continue to serve more individuals,” Ms. Dickson added.
As part of the celebration, the hospital will host a “Pink Party” for hospital employees to celebrate the anniversary. The event will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will be held rain or shine at the Hospital’s 6th Avenue (Clock Tower) entrance. At the event, employees will have the opportunity to tour the unit, register for an upcoming appointment, and speak with Mobile Mammography Coach team members, the Reading Hospital Foundation (Foundation), and Community Wellness team.
“This event is special because it allows us to celebrate this milestone anniversary with our team members,” said Charles F. Barbera, MD, Reading Hospital president and CEO. “Employees across every department in the hospital worked together for countless hours to ensure the Mobile Mammography Coach was purchased, equipped, and ready to provide potentially life-saving screenings in our community. I am proud of the work they have done, and continue to do, for the health of our friends and neighbors.”
A mammogram is the best screening tool for early detection of breast cancer. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and most do not have a family history of the disease. Routine screening mammograms are recommended for women beginning at the age of 40. Women considered high-risk can speak with their doctor to make an informed decision about screening mammograms before the age of 40. Individuals interested in scheduling an appointment should call 484-628-8611. Preventive screenings are covered under most insurance plans. Reading Hospital is committed to saving lives through early detection. The Patient Financial Assistance Program will work to enroll women who are under- or uninsured and meet eligibility requirements. Contact Reading Hospital Financial Counselors at 484-628-7400 with questions.
The American College of Radiology has granted the Mobile Mammography Coach a three-year accreditation. This accreditation demonstrates that women who use the Mobile Mammography unit will get the same exceptional patient care as they do at any of Tower Health’s mammography imaging locations, with coordinated scheduling, testing, follow-up, and referrals.
The Mobile Mammography Coach is sponsored by the Reading Hospital Foundation. “The Foundation is thrilled to have played a part in bringing the Mobile Mammography Coach to the community,” shared Katherine Thornton, President of Reading Hospital Foundation. “Because of the generosity of our donors, we were able to provide the necessary funding to get the coach on the road. We are also committed to keeping it on the road for many years to come.”
A donation to the Reading Hospital Foundation helps to ensure women can receive routine screenings when they might not otherwise have access to this life-saving service. Individuals interested in donating can visit towerhealth.org/RHFoundation, click “Make a Gift,” and select “Mobile Mammography Coach” for the Gift Purpose drop-down menu.
You Might Also Like
Parenting a Visually Impaired Individual 2-1-22
Mushroom Consumption May Lower Risk of Depression
Damsel in Defense 10-23-18
