Trinity Health Grand Rapids Launches New Mobile Mammography Unit
July 30, 2023
Categories: Cancer, Women's Health
Mobile 3D mammography helps reduce health inequities for underserved women
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (July 31, 2023) – In response to the growing need for state-of-the-art breast care among vulnerable women in Grand Rapids, Trinity Health Grand Rapids has purchased a mobile mammography unit to reach these women and address the health inequities.
The 40-foot bus has the same high quality 3-D imaging suite as Trinity Health’s other imaging centers, two private changing rooms and a reception waiting area. It will be staffed by specially trained technologists and board-certified radiologists to deliver safe, accurate breast cancer screenings.
If they are already Trinity Health patients, women who use this mobile mammography unit will receive their results through MyChart. Otherwise, results can be sent to them via mail or through their Primary Care office.
Many women hesitate to get a mammogram for the following reasons:
- They have no health insurance.
- They have a high level of mistrust toward health care.
- They lack transportation.
- They do not want to go into a group health care setting.
- They fear the results of the scan.
Trinity Health Grand Rapids hopes to address these issues by providing free, convenient, preventive breast care services. Through mobile 3-D mammography, Trinity Health Grand Rapids can help enhance early detection, promote equity and decrease mortality.
“Since implementation of the Affordable Care Act, screening mammograms are covered 100% by insurance,” said Becky Mercier, Breast Imaging supervisor, Trinity Health Grand Rapids.
“In cases where patients do not have insurance, we work with the Kent County Health Department’s Breast & Cervical Cancer Control Navigation Program to fully cover the cost of the screening and potential follow-up imaging. This program is income-based for women ages 40 to 64. If patients are outside of this criteria and have other financial hardships, we have other resources available to ensure that screening is not avoided because of financial concerns,” Mercier added
The mobile mammography unit was funded through a grant from the Trinity Health Preserving Our Legacy Fund and through fundraising efforts by the Saint Mary’s Foundation.
“Our biggest goal is to reduce barriers to screening mammography by bringing the unit directly to underserved communities. Annual screening mammography is proven to reduce mortality due to breast cancer, so any opportunity to make this simple exam easy and convenient is a huge win for overall community health,” said Michelle Rabideau, president, Saint Mary’s Foundation.
The bus will provide these vital preventive services in 11 locations and neighborhoods around West Michigan, including the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan. Trinity Health Grand Rapids also has three stationery mammography centers.
To schedule a mobile mammogram, call 855-559-7179 or visit www.TrinityHealthMichigan.org/MobileMamm
About Trinity Health Michigan
Trinity Health Michigan is a leading health care provider and one of the state’s largest employers. With more than 24,000 full-time employees serving 29 counties, Trinity Health Michigan operates nine hospitals located in Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Howell, Livonia, Muskegon, Pontiac and Shelby, and two medical groups. The health system has 2,314 beds and 5,446 physicians and advanced practice providers. With operating revenues of $4.16 billion, Trinity Health Michigan returns $184 million back to their local communities each year. Together with numerous ambulatory care locations, home health and hospice agencies and 23 senior living communities owned and/or operated by Trinity Health, Trinity Health Michigan provides the full continuum of care for Michigan residents. Trinity Health Michigan is a member of Trinity Health, one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the country serving more than 30 million people across 22 states. www.trinityhealthmichigan.org