FMC celebrates The Breast Center opening

 
 

Kurt Stuenkel (left), president and CEO of Floyd Medical Center, and Rep. Katie Dempsey talk before a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the hospital’s Breast Center. (Ryan Smith / RN-T)

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated the opening of The Breast Center at Floyd Medical Center on Friday afternoon.

“This is an important day in the history of Floyd and the history of health care in our community,” said Kurt Stuenkel, president and CEO of FMC.

The center offers breast cancer test results and even the opportunity to see a surgeon, if it is needed, all within the same day.

“This one’s for ya’ll,” said state Rep. Katie Dempsey, speaking to the crowd. “It’s a great day for not only the ladies but also for the guys who each have a woman in your lives.”

Dempsey, who serves on the Floyd Healthcare Resources Board, said the fear a woman can feel as she awaits possibly life-changing breast cancer test results will be “never again.”

The center officially opened Sept. 29.

FMC is also taking a proactive approach to reducing cancer deaths in the area and offering screening even to women who have no symptoms of breast cancer.

With early detection, breast cancer has a 96-percent survival rate, and the center is banking on turning that high percentage into another number — a lower death rate from breast cancer in Floyd and surrounding counties.

Aimee Griffin, Breast Center director, said that 25 volunteers went through the process this week and all came in, got tests done and left the hospital with all of their information.

Griffin said the center has three distinct missions:

  • Same day test results

     

  • Providing screening for women who may not even have signs or symptoms of cancer.

     

  • Providing a mobile mammography unit in order to assist those who cannot easily get to FMC for a test.

    Two major sponsors of the Mobile Mammography Unit, one of them being FMC employees themselves, were also in attendance at the ribbon cutting.

    Special People Involved Reaching Into Tomorrow, or SPIRIT, is a group of FMC employees that gives back to the hospital, and they pledged $300,000 in the space of three years toward the unit.

    Taunya Faulkner, representing SPIRIT, said $120,000 has been raised for the fund already.

    Ron Tomlinson, president and CEO of the Coosa Valley Federal Credit Union, that pledged $100,000 toward the unit, said “no doubt lives will be touched” by reaching out to stamp out breast cancer in the surrounding counties.

    The unit was out for display and expected to be finished and go into service in the near future.

    • Article Courtsey of The Rome News Tribune