Q&A
THE BREAST CENTER
EmpowERiNg womEN
foR BREAST HEAlTH
An Interview with Stephanie Schwartz, FACHE, President, Chilton Medical Center
What makes the Breast Center at Chilton
so special?
When it comes to fighting breast cancer, access to innovations
in diagnosis and treatment are critically important – and at the
core of Chilton’s vision as a community hospital. Our Breast
Center is special because it blends advanced capabilities and
expertise with personalized, compassionate care. Nationally rec-
ognized for quality, the program is led by dedicated breast radi-
ologists and dually trained technologists who can perform
mammography and ultrasound in a single visit. Patients also
benefit from the latest imaging technology, including 3D mam-
mography that can uncover tumors with pinpoint accuracy, and
a newly renovated facility.
How do the renovations improve patient care?
We’ve completely transformed our Breast Center to offer a bet-
ter patient experience. The facility was redesigned to increase
capacity and refurbished to improve privacy, comfort and con-
venience. It features a remodeled waiting area, additional exam
rooms, a suite for breast surgery consultations, and upgraded
equipment – including state-of-the-art stereotactic breast biopsy
technology that cuts procedure time in half. From an aesthetic
standpoint, patients have commented that our new Breast
Center feels more like a spa than a hospital, with tranquil sur-
roundings and relaxing amenities.
Always. Most recently, Chilton conducted a study that revealed
a large percentage of women in our community are at high risk
for breast cancer. That prompted us to develop a High Risk
Breast Screening Program aimed at empowering women to be
proactive in their breast health. Breast Center patients partici-
pate by answering questions about their medical history,
lifestyle and other factors. That information is then uploaded
from an iPad to software that calculates breast cancer risk.
High-scoring individuals have access to genetic testing, nutri-
tion counseling, screenings, and other interventions focused on
prevention and early detection, providing the opportunity to
stay one step ahead of a highly treatable disease. ❖
Stephanie Schwartz, FACHE, President
holiday 2018 Chilton Magazine
Is Chilton pioneering programs for breast health?