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Over the past three years 4,819 mammograms have been performed using Chester’s machine. In 2001, 672 mammograms were given to patients in Browning alone, as well as, 378 in Cut Bank; 276 in Choteau; 114 in Fort Benton and 362 in Chester. This service has allowed patients not to travel long distances for exams and with the procedure available in their local healthcare facility, patients are more apt to have exams done annually. Gail Kantorowicz has been associated with Liberty County Hospital & Nursing Home for twenty-three years. She has been the traveling radiological technologist to these rural communities for fifteen years, therefore, developing an excellent rapport with her patients. Kantorowicz’s credentials include American Registry of Radiological Technology ARRT and Radiological Technologist, Mammoagrapher ARRT (R)(M). The Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA) is enforcing tighter regulations, which require all mammography machines be updated. Because of these changes Liberty County Hospital was recently forced to purchase a new mammography machine for $82,000. Affectionately called “Sophie” this pink and white unit is bi-phasic which makes the exam more comfortable for the patient and will decrease the number of repeat exams. Patients can be assured that the quality of this “mobile” unit is equal to that of a stationary mammography unit. North Central Montana residents have been generous with their donations for this new unit despite the economic challenges facing the area. Tracey Nordstrom-Hansen has addressed many community organizations to explain the need for funding the mammography project. Many local groups have taken up the challenge! That Club, a home demonstration group, sponsored a raffle of art work by local artists, Craig Waldron and Zelma Skinner. That Club agreed to contribute $250 in addition to their ticket sales making their total contribution $675. Bear Den Homemakers donated to the unit as well. Heritage bank has contributed $750 toward the purchase of the mammography unit. Wells Fargo Chester and Rudyard have each committed $500 and Bear Paw Credit Union has donated $1,000. Other groups have indicated that they will have some form of fund raising events for the unit. “Our communities share our vision of a complete health care facility here on the Hi-Line and have been so supportive!” commented Tracey Nordstrom-Hanson Hi-Line Health Foundation Coordinator.
Women bowl for the cure Two women’s bowling leagues have raised a hefty amount of money” to fight cancer -with just a penny a pin. Because February was Breast Cancer Awareness Month, the Wednesday and Thursday night women’s leagues were challenged to raise money. Participation was strictly volunteer. Sandy Maczka was hoping to raise $1,000 in a month. Instead, every pin that fell helped, and they raised $1,275. Most of the money, $1,200, will be kept locally, and donated to the Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital Foundation mammography fund. It will be used for equipment and training right here. The balance is going to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, through the Women’s International Bowling Congress. In addition to funding research, the Komen Foundation and its affiliates fund community-based breast health education and breast cancer screening and treatment projects for the medically under-served.
Denim Day On Friday, Oct. 5, the employees of Beartooth Hospital and Health Center and more than a million others nationwide will joined by a common thread. They will all wear denim and a pink ribbon pin as a sign of solidarity in the fight against breast cancer for Lee National Denim Day, the world’s largest single-day fund-raiser for breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment. For the sixth year, Lee Apparel has invited businesses and organizations to participate in Lee National Denim Day by allowing their employees to wear denim to work in exchange for a $5 donation to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. “ Unfortunately, in today’s society, nearly everyone has been touched by breast cancer, everyone has been touched by breast cancer, either personally or through a friend or relative,” says Katie Nordstrom of Beartooth Hospital and Health Center. “This program offers to support our employees and the people they care about.” Over the last five years, Lee National Denim Day has raised nearly $24 million for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating breast cancer. Donations from Lee National Denim Day have funded everything from research grants at the nation’s most prestigious universities and teaching hospitals to local screening and education programs in medically under-served areas of the country.
Women Reaching for Wellness Program Honored St. Vincent Healthcare’s “Women Reaching for Wellness Program” was honored by the Montana Public Health Association. The “President’s Award” was presented in recognition of, and appreciation for, leadership and commitment to provide outstanding culturally sensitive breast and cervical cancer education programs to Montana’s American Indian women and under-served women at the Montana Women’s Prison and the Montana Migrant Council.
Women’s health forum Presentations, education and an open house will all be a part of “For Women Only,” an event celebrating healthy women in October by St. Peter’s Hospital, the Mountain-Pacific Quality Health Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield Montana and the Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program. Montana’s former first lady Theresa Racicot will host the event held at the Women’s Center in the Maria Dean Medical Building adjacent to St. Peter’s Hospital. All women are invited to tour the Women’s Center, meet a technologist and learn about the mammography machine and how it is used. A series of brief presentations will also be provided by Dr. Lee Harrison, Dr. Nancy Aagenes, Dr. Diana Corzine, Registered Dietician Sue Larson, Karan Kunz, and Clinical Specialist Karrie Fairbrother. Two 15-minute lectures will be presented simultaneously to provide women the opportunity to hear from a variety of health care professionals and ask them questions. Also as part of the event, several community organizations will host wellness booths.
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