MDNews - Central New York

WHEN THE FALK Breast Health Center at Crouse Hospital acquired a state-of-the- art prone tomosynthesis table, the facility became the only one in Central New York to of fer prone ma m mog ra m-g uided biopsies using this technology. The table helps radiologists and surgeons locate and biopsy minute lesions revealed by 3D mammography, which detects about 40% more ca ncers tha n conventiona l 2D, according to Stephen Montgomery, MD, Director of Breast Imaging at the Falk Breast Health Center. The imaging and biopsy technology at the Falk Breast Health Center is top of the line, and includes 3D digital mammogra- phy and breast MRI with computer-aided detection, as well core biopsies, includ- ing ultrasound-g uided, MR I-g uided, m a m m o g r a m - g u i d e d a n d n o w tomosynthesis-guided. "We're the first all-tomo department in Central New York," Dr. Montgomery says. The tomosynthesis table is just the latest in a long list of "firsts" posted by the Breast Care Program, the region's pioneer in breast health. The Falk Breast Health Center is the first program in the area to be designated as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiolog y, and it has a long track record of innovation — not just as an early adopter of leading-edge technology, but also for the unique multidisciplinary partnership through which it delivers high-level, comprehensive breast care to patients from throughout the region. BREAST CARE PARTNERS With its advanced imaging and biopsy capabi lities, t he Fa l k Brea st Hea lt h Cent er h a s at t r a c t ed t he at t ent ion of renow ned brea st specia lists from Syracuse and beyond. In 2013, a coalition of community-based specialists formed Breast Care Partners. Crouse Hospita l p a r t ner e d w it h t h i s or g a n i z a t ion . This vir tua l a ffi liation wa s desig ned to elevate the qua lit y of ca re a s well as streamline and persona lize patient care. Syracuse community breast care specialists, including surgeons, oncolo- gists, radiation oncologists, radiologists, pathologists and support services, make up the clinical ranks of the organization. Breast Care Partners is fully accredited by the A merican College of Surgeons' Nationa l Accreditation Prog ra m for Breast Centers (NA PBC). Patients who come to the Fa lk Breast Hea lth Center for follow-up imag ing or consu ltation w i l l notice the pa r t- nership's advantages the moment they wa lk through the doors. A breast hea lth nurse navigator g uides patients from testing to treatment and follow-up care, freeing them from the log istica l a nd bureaucratic burdens that typically fall to the patient. The benefits of this integrated system of care are also obvious to the breast special- ists who practice within it, says William Schu, MD, Medical Director of Breast Care Partners and general surgeon with Central New York Surgical Physicians. "Before, we were separate entities that practiced quality care, but one can only practice at the highest level within an integrated system," Dr. Schu says. Breast Care Partners requires excel- lence from it members by holding them to the rigorous standards required for NAPBC accreditation. " We at t end nat iona l con ferences at least once a year and hold biweekly tumor boards where we present patient cases for discussion. We a lso review radiologic studies and treatment plans. It's a good opportunity to communicate with our fellow breast surgeons through- out the city," says James Sartori, MD, Managing Partner with Central New York Surgical Physicians. A LEADER IN BREAST HEALTH Much of t he r e g ion a l e x p er t i s e i n br e a s t c a r e h a s r o o t s a t t h e Fa l k Breast Health Center, thanks in large p a r t t o D r. Mont gom er y, w ho h a s State-of-the-Art Diagnosis Meets Integrated Breast Care at BY ALLISON GORMAN WITH DECADES OF TECHNOLOGICAL FIRSTS AND A UNIQUE MULTIDISCIPLINARY PARTNERSHIP, THE DR. HADLE Y J. FALK BRE A ST HE ALTH CENTER AT CROUSE HOSPITAL CONTINUES ITS PIONEERING APPROACH TO BRE A ST CARE. Crouse Health 0 6❱❱❱❱❱ C O V E R F E A T U R E

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