News
VALLEY HEALTH AWARDED GRANT FOR BREAST CANCER SCREENING
Valley Health Systems Receives $20,000 For Screening Mammogram Outreach Program
Valley Health Systems Receives $20,000 For Screening Mammogram Outreach Program
Huntington, W.Va. – Valley Health Systems has been chosen to receive a $20,000 grant from the Susan G. Komen for the Cure to fund its Screening Mammogram Outreach Program. The program will provide screening mammograms to women between the ages of 40 and 49.
“This grant is going to allow us to provide important breast cancer screenings to women who have been unable to receive these kinds of screenings in the past,” said Steve Shattls, Valley Health CEO.
The women who are eligible to participate in the screening mammogram program are those who do not qualify for a screening mammogram through the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program, either because of their age or because they are not considered high risk.
Joy Hakala and Dee Messinger, both RNs at Valley Health, authored the grant proposal because no other program in West Virginia funds breast cancer screenings for this age group. The Screening Mammogram Outreach Program is the only way for uninsured and underinsured women between the ages of 40 and 49 to receive affordable screening mammograms.
“There are currently breast cancer screening programs in West Virginia, but they do not begin breast cancer screenings until the age of 50. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women start having regular mammograms at the age of 40,” Hakala said. “This grant allows us to provide screenings to women who need mammograms but do not qualify for the other programs because of their age.”
Valley Health - A Woman’s Place received this funding in 2006, and Hakala said around 60 women received breast cancer screenings as a result. For a woman to receive a screening this year, she must first be seen as a patient at any Valley Health location and determined in need of a breast cancer screening. Once a need is established, Valley Health Systems will coordinate and fund a screening mammogram at an area hospital.
Valley Health Westmoreland Undergoing Major Changes
Westmoreland, WV – Valley Health Westmoreland, one of 22 Valley Health centers offering primary healthcare services in seven counties of West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky is currently undergoing major renovations. Within the next several months, Valley Health Westmoreland will be transformed into a more spacious, better equipped and technologically advanced healthcare facility.
The renovations will include:
- Six new exam rooms (up from a current three)
- Four new state-of-the-art dental operatories
- The latest technology in dental practice management software
- An expanded waiting room
- An expanded parking lot for easier access to the facility
- Access to an optometrist on site
Valley Health Westmoreland opened in September 2003, after receiving $686,000 from a New Access Point Grant through the Health Resources and Services Administration. This grant was created by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to expand access to primary healthcare to the underserved.
Valley Health Westmoreland offers full service OB/GYN, Family Practice and Dentistry services to everyone, regardless of ability to pay.
The center is installing Dentrix, the latest technology in dental practice management software. This software is state-of-the-art, incorporating low-exposure x-ray technology and permanent records storage.
Additionally, the center will house an optometrist, Dr. Knight, who has served the community for over 20 years.
Valley Health Westmoreland expects the renovations to be complete sometime during the first quarter of 2005, but will remain open for business during construction.
For information regarding services offered by Valley Health Westmoreland professionals, please call the center at 781.5800.