Photo at right: Gila Regional Medical Center’s Mammography Team (L to R) Robin Flippo, lead mammographer; Vera Ortiz, mammographer; Debbie Telles, mammographer/scheduler and Grace Marin, mammographer/customer service specialist; will be distributing Breast Cancer Kits through funding from the GRMC Foundation. Not pictured: Donna Bevill and Erin Zubia.The Gila Regional Medical Center Foundation has awarded funds to the GRMC Mammography Team of the hospital’s Radiology Department to purchase kits for distribution to Breast Cancer patients. “The kits consist of a journal (to write down their thoughts) and a Candle of Hope for patient therapy, to remind them that our staff is here to personally connect and support them as they go through treatment,” said Robin Flippo, lead mammographer of the six-person program team.
Mammograms, were only available in Grant County through visiting the mobile screening van until 1997, when GRMC purchased mammographic equipment to provide the service in-house. Now, approximately 700 screenings are conducted each month, of those, 1-3% of the patients will be diagnosed with a symptom requiring surgery and/or follow-up treatment.
“Today, our state-of-the-art equipment is more gentle on the patient as the gentle mammo pads allow for greater compression and less discomfort”, said Flippo. Gila Regional now has three mammographic machines and has expanded scheduled appointment times through 7PM each day, and on Saturdays.
It is recommended that women have a baseline mammogram at age 35. If there is no family history of Breast Cancer, a screening is recommended every two years until age 40, when screenings should be scheduled annually.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and on Nov. 10th, Blue Cross Blue Shield will sponsor the “Yes Ma’am” program, where prior patients will be personally notified if they are past due for their regular screening. For additional information about mammograms contact your family physician.
Since its inception in 1988 the GRMC Foundation has been dedicated to providing resources to ensure that Gila Regional Medical Center meets its mission of quality patient healthcare. Over the years the Foundation has assisted the hospital by purchasing state-of-the-art equipment, completing capital projects and supporting scholarships for healthcare students.
For additional information about the Foundation call contribution opportunities call 538-4092, cmcandrew@grmc.org, or 1313 East 32nd Street, Silver City, NM 88061.
