Reading Hospital is celebrating the one-year anniversary of its Mobile Mammography Coach, which increases access to life-saving screenings in the community it serves. In fiscal year 2023, the Mobile Mammography Coach screened 790 women at 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, and Inclusion, and Community Wellness, added, “Our recent Community Health Needs Assessments revealed that our community faces barriers when accessing 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 address these challenges by delivering screenings directly to patients in their community. We are proud of the work we have accomplished with the Mobile Mammography Coach thus far. Our team is consistently working to analyze data and develop community partnerships where screenings are most needed.”
To learn more about hosting an event in Berks County, email your request to MobileMammo@towerhealth.org. “Our Mobile Mammography Coach is a success in part because of our community partners who generously host events at their locations. It is always our goal to secure additional partners so that we can expand the number of individuals we can serve,” Ms. Dickson added.
As part of the celebration, the hospital will host a “Pink Party” for hospital employees to commemorate the anniversary. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 12, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will be held rain or shine at the Hospital’s 6th Avenue (Clock Tower) entrance. Employees will have the opportunity to tour the unit, register for an upcoming appointment, and speak with team members from the Mobile Mammography Coach, the Reading Hospital Foundation, and the Community Wellness team.
“This event is incredibly 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 so proud of the work they have done, and continue to do, for the health of our friends and neighbors.”
Early detection of breast cancer is best achieved through a mammogram. One in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime, and most do not have a family history of the disease. Beginning at age 40, women are recommended to receive routine screening mammograms. Women considered high-risk can speak with their doctor to make an informed decision about screening mammograms prior to age 40.
Preventive screenings are covered by most insurance plans. Individuals interested in scheduling an appointment should call 484-628-8611. It is Reading Hospital's mission to save lives by detecting cancer at an early stage. The Patient Financial Assistance Program will assist women who are under or uninsured to enroll and meet eligibility requirements. Contact Reading Hospital's Financial Counselors at 484-628-7400 with questions.
The Mobile Mammography Coach has been granted three-year accreditation by the American College of Radiology. This demonstrates that women who use the Mobile Mammography unit will receive the same high-quality care that they would at any of Tower Health's mammography imaging locations including 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 may do so here, select “Mobile Mammography Coach” from the Gift Purpose drop-down menu.
Media is invited to attend the Pink Party. Photos of the event will be available upon request. Download an infographic with additional stats about the Mobile Mammography program.
About Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 697-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across service lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and has been named one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2022 and 2023. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.