CentraState - Healthy Directions

CentraState and interventional radiologist Ken Tomkovich, MD, recently hosted an educational program about breast imaging and biopsy for a group of radiologists from China. Passing Knowledge Overseas In May, a group of eight radiologists from China visited CentraState Medical Center to learn new techniques in interventional radiology for breast cancer. The group of physicians trained with internationally distinguished interventional radiologist Ken Tomkovich, MD, with Freehold Radiology Group and medical director of Interventional Radiology at CentraState. The visit marked the first time that a program for education on breast imaging and minimally invasive biopsy has taken place between the United States and a group of doctors from China. “We have the latest and best in diagnostic imaging and treatment, and CentraState helped to bring one of only 10 proton cancer therapy centers in the entire United States to New Jersey,” Dr. Tomkovich says. “We also have some of the best physicians around specializing in cancer care. The Chinese doctors were eager to come and learn because they do not have a comprehensive educational program in breast imaging and their incidence of breast cancer is rapidly rising. CentraState is the perfect environment to meet that goal.” During their visit to CentraState, the physicians from China were thoroughly instructed in breast cancer diagnosis and ultrasound and stereotactic biopsy—procedures not widely used in China. “We reviewed cases together, shared thoughts with one another and, through mutual respect and trust, built friendships that will last forever,” Dr. Tomkovich says. “Most importantly, they will return to China with a new knowledge and ability to treat their patients that they did not have before. My hope is that they will be able to share this knowledge with other doctors in China and ultimately save more lives.” The group of physicians was led by Gao-Jun Teng, MD, PhD, dean of the Medical School of Southeast University in Nanjing, and professor of Radiology and chair, Department of Radiology, Zhong-Da Hospital of Southeast University. Dr. Teng also is the vice president and incoming president of the Chinese Society of Radiology and immediate past president of the Chinese Society of Interventional Radiology. “It is an honor and pleasure for us to be here and to participate in this unique training opportunity with Dr. Tomkovich,” Dr. Teng says. “We are faced with an increase of breast cancer in China and learning and using these techniques will have far-reaching benefits to the health of our population. We hope to develop programs in China similar to the program here to help other physicians learn how to diagnose and treat this disease.” This first educational exchange with the Chinese medical community was a huge success thanks to the support from Hologic, Mammotome/Devicor, Scion Medical Technologies, Siemen’s Medical Solutions USA, Inc., the CentraState Associated Auxiliaries, and the CentraState Healthcare Foundation. Radiology Options at CentraState CentraState’s radiology services include interventional radiology, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound, X-ray, and nuclear medicine. CentraState’s Women’s Health Center provides digital mammography, stereotactic needle biopsy, breast needle localization, bone densitometry, and women’s health education and counseling. CentraState’s Radiology Department has accreditations from the American College of Radiology (ACR) in computed tomography, mammography, nuclear medicine, ultrasound, breast ultrasound, and stereotactic breast biopsy. It is also designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. The Ultrasound Department is also accredited by The Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Vascular Laboratories (ICAVL). For more information about CentraState’s cancer services, call (855) 411-CANCER or visit www.centrastatecancercenter.com. HD

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