Media Contact: Holly Hinson
Cell (502) 807-1815
hollyhi@ulh.org

An innovative program that increases access to health screenings was honored at the Sixth Annual MediStar Awards Tuesday, May 22 at the Hyatt Regency Louisville.

The Mobile Mammography program at the James Graham Brown Cancer Center won “The AHIP Consumer First Award,” which is presented to an individual or organization that has demonstrated the most “consumer friendly” program or facility.

The award was one of eight awards presented at the MediStar Awards, sponsored by Medical News. The awards program recognizes and honors healthcare professionals for their achievements in advocacy, innovation, education and consumer needs.

Since 1991, the James Graham Brown Cancer Center’s Mobile Mammography Unit Program has been making breast cancer screenings convenient and accessible to women at locations throughout Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The program aims to save lives through early detection and provide affordable or even free mammograms to those in need. The mobile mammography program sees approximately 4,600 women a year and an additional 4,500 are screened within the James Graham Brown Cancer Center.

According to Laura Fry, Diagnostic Imaging Manager, disparities in mammography screening among underserved women with low income or less education continue to exist, so the program works by removing access barriers by reaching women in their community, church, school or place of business.

In addition, many free mammograms are offered to financially qualified individuals through participation in the Kentucky Women’s Cancer Screening Project.

“Many of our patients are from underserved populations who often don’t get screened due to either economic or cultural barriers, so we partner with business,  various community organizations and the healthcare community to meet patients on their “home turf,” providing a level of comfort that makes the screening process seem less intimidating,” said Fry.