Staff from the Primary Care Coalition’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Program (BCCP) volunteered to set up and operate a successful pop-up breast cancer screening for local uninsured residents on January 6 from 8 a.m. to 12 noon at Community Radiology Associates in Silver Spring.
“I’m proud of our staff for taking the initiative and organizing this important event on their own time,” said Dr. Veronica Vela, Senior Director of Healthcare Access for the Primary Care Coalition. “In Maryland, approximately one in eight women are ultimately diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 85% of them have no family history of it. Early detection makes treatment easier, less costly, and significantly increases survival rates.”
The BCCP staff who participated included Beth Burdette, Alyse Cooper, and Nelly Velazquez. Sonia Dinarte, the BCCP coordinator for the Proyecto Salud Clinic, scheduled 27 new and returning patients within three time slots to be screened on a first-come, first-served basis. BCCP Educator and Billing and Data Specialist Nelly Velasquez confirmed the appointments by calling and texting those who were scheduled.
“I am tremendously proud of my team. They are passionate and committed to this work and the well-being of women in our community,” said PCC Director of Cancer Screening Ogechukwu (Oge) Okeke. “They work tirelessly daily (on and out of their regular work schedules) to ensure that as many women as possible are screened for breast and cervical cancer. It's a pleasure and an honor to work alongside these sheroes!”
The 2121 Medical Park Drive location of Community Radiology Associates (CRA) in Silver Spring opened for the clinic outside of its regular business hours, and the front desk staff checked in clients as they arrived with help from Proyecto Salud staff. The CRA staff and radiologists prepared the clients for their screenings and conducted the mammograms. Following the mammograms, BCCP staff educated the women about the importance of getting an annual mammogram.
Refreshments and breast cancer awareness goodie bags were provided to the 26 women screened during the clinic. The bags included magnets with a reminder for their next mammogram in January 2025.
A few of the clinic’s screening results indicated a need for further diagnostics, and those women will be seen again for another screening and any needed follow-up care. Additional volunteer mammogram clinics will be scheduled as arrangements can be made with Community Radiology Associates staff and locations.
The BCCP program has screened approximately 3,260 women in the past two years for breast and cervical cancer through mammograms, Pap and HPV testing, and other diagnostics. The goal of the program is to reduce breast and cervical cancer deaths through education, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and patient navigation services. Participating clinics include the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center Inc. (CCAC), Care for Your Health, and Proyecto Salud. Community partners are Adventist Health Radiology, Community Radiology Associates, Adventist Medical Group (breast surgery), Holy Cross Health OB/GYN Clinic (cervical diagnostic services), and Capital Choice Pathology Laboratory. The Primary Care Coalition’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Program began in April 2021 and is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control through the Maryland Department of Health.
“I’m proud of our staff for taking the initiative and organizing this important event on their own time,” said Dr. Veronica Vela, Senior Director of Healthcare Access for the Primary Care Coalition. “In Maryland, approximately one in eight women are ultimately diagnosed with breast cancer, and about 85% of them have no family history of it. Early detection makes treatment easier, less costly, and significantly increases survival rates.”
The BCCP staff who participated included Beth Burdette, Alyse Cooper, and Nelly Velazquez. Sonia Dinarte, the BCCP coordinator for the Proyecto Salud Clinic, scheduled 27 new and returning patients within three time slots to be screened on a first-come, first-served basis. BCCP Educator and Billing and Data Specialist Nelly Velasquez confirmed the appointments by calling and texting those who were scheduled.
“I am tremendously proud of my team. They are passionate and committed to this work and the well-being of women in our community,” said PCC Director of Cancer Screening Ogechukwu (Oge) Okeke. “They work tirelessly daily (on and out of their regular work schedules) to ensure that as many women as possible are screened for breast and cervical cancer. It's a pleasure and an honor to work alongside these sheroes!”
The 2121 Medical Park Drive location of Community Radiology Associates (CRA) in Silver Spring opened for the clinic outside of its regular business hours, and the front desk staff checked in clients as they arrived with help from Proyecto Salud staff. The CRA staff and radiologists prepared the clients for their screenings and conducted the mammograms. Following the mammograms, BCCP staff educated the women about the importance of getting an annual mammogram.
Refreshments and breast cancer awareness goodie bags were provided to the 26 women screened during the clinic. The bags included magnets with a reminder for their next mammogram in January 2025.
A few of the clinic’s screening results indicated a need for further diagnostics, and those women will be seen again for another screening and any needed follow-up care. Additional volunteer mammogram clinics will be scheduled as arrangements can be made with Community Radiology Associates staff and locations.
The BCCP program has screened approximately 3,260 women in the past two years for breast and cervical cancer through mammograms, Pap and HPV testing, and other diagnostics. The goal of the program is to reduce breast and cervical cancer deaths through education, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and patient navigation services. Participating clinics include the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center Inc. (CCAC), Care for Your Health, and Proyecto Salud. Community partners are Adventist Health Radiology, Community Radiology Associates, Adventist Medical Group (breast surgery), Holy Cross Health OB/GYN Clinic (cervical diagnostic services), and Capital Choice Pathology Laboratory. The Primary Care Coalition’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Program began in April 2021 and is funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control through the Maryland Department of Health.
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