Valley Health Unveils Mobile Mammography Unit to Expand Rural Screening Access

Valley Health has unveiled a new mobile mammography unit that will begin traveling across the Northern Shenandoah Valley and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia this fall, bringing breast cancer screenings closer to women who may otherwise face barriers to care.

The new Steven E. & Beverley B. Shoemaker Valley Health Mobile Mammography Unit was introduced Monday as part of Valley Health Foundations’ Stronger Together campaign, a three-year effort to raise $20 million for community health needs.

“To me, this mobile mammography unit is a true gift from the community, for the community,” said Jenny Grooms, executive director of Valley Health Foundations. “Thanks to the generosity of supporters of our Stronger Together Campaign, we’re able to bring screenings closer to where women live, work, worship, and gather.”

Valley Health officials say fewer than half of eligible women in the region currently receive an annual screening mammogram. Transportation is one of the major barriers.

“We know that for many women, the challenge isn’t the cost of a screening—it’s finding the time, transportation, or flexibility to get to an appointment,” Grooms said. “My hope is that by bringing care directly into our communities, we can make it easier for women to prioritize their health and encourage one another to take those few important minutes for an annual screening.”

The 36-foot mobile unit is equipped with a Hologic 3D mammography machine, the same type of technology used at Valley Health facilities.

The vehicle is expected to visit rural communities, major employers, churches, and community centers throughout the health system’s service area.

Valley Health estimates that about two to three patients can be screened each hour while the unit is in operation. The vehicle is expected to be on the road several days each week.

The effort is designed to make preventive care more convenient, especially for women who live far from imaging centers or have difficulty taking time away from work, family responsibilities, or other obligations.

Valley Health is still finalizing the mobile unit’s schedule and partnerships with employers and community organizations. Information about upcoming screening locations and eligibility requirements is expected to be released soon.

The project is one of several initiatives supported through the Stronger Together campaign, which focuses on addressing health needs across the region.

For more information about Stronger Together, visit valleyhealthlink.com/stronger.

Questions about the mobile mammography program may be directed to Jason Craig, senior director of Community Health, at jcraig@valleyhealthlink.com.

Valley Health is a nonprofit health system serving more than 500,000 people in the Northern Shenandoah Valley of Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia. The system includes six hospitals, more than 75 medical practices and urgent care centers, outpatient rehabilitation, medical transport, long-term care, and home health services.

(From Valley Health Press Release)