LITTLE ROCK -- A spacious new center offering comprehensive breast imaging services has opened in the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
The Breast Center is located on the third floor of the Cancer Institute and offers a complete array of services, including mammography, ultrasound and image-guided biopsy. An MRI dedicated exclusively to breast imaging is scheduled be installed in the center later this year.
The center, which was previously housed in the UAMS Outpatient Center, encompasses about 12,000 square feet and includes five mammography rooms, five ultrasound rooms, space for image-guided biopsies, large patient dressing rooms and a waiting area filled with natural light.
Original artwork by female Arkansas artists will be featured throughout the center, adding to the relaxing environment.
By increasing the number of mammography and ultrasound rooms offered, the center increases capacity to serve more women each day according to Gwendolyn Bryant-Smith, M.D., director of the Breast Center who also is division chief of breast imaging at UAMS and director of the mobile mammography program.
The center will continue to offer same-day results for all screening and diagnostic mammograms, as well as the ability to follow up immediately with additional imaging and procedures for women who require more testing.
Radiologists at the Breast Center are part of the UAMS Breast Cancer Team, a group of specialists from various areas who work together to offer personalized treatment for each patient.
In recognition of the Breast Center's high standards, the facility was named a Breast Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. This prestigious recognition includes a mandatory accreditation in mammography and voluntary accreditations in stereotactic core biopsy, ultrasound, ultrasound-guided biopsy and breast MRI.
In addition to Bryant-Smith, the Breast Center's physicians include Scott Harter, M.D., and breast fellow Patrick Jennings, M.D., who will remain at UAMS upon completing his fellowship in July. Also that month, radiologist Rachel Taylor, M.D., is slated to join the Breast Center.