Roseland Hospital’s Mammogram Van Brings Access To South Side Community
Roseland Hospital’s Mammogram Van Brings Access To South Side Community
By Tia Carol Jones
In 2023, the Roseland Community Hospital launched its mammogram van as a way to make mammogram screenings more accessible to the community. The van, which brings state-of-the-art screenings, was acquired through grant money from the Silver Lining Foundation and the Washington Square Health Foundation.
The Roseland Community Hospital also has a partnership with the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, which provides free mammograms, pelvic and breast exams, as well as pap tests, to eligible women. The van serves women on the Far South side who might not have access to these kinds of routine screenings.
Nikia Glenn McGee, Executive Director of the Roseland Community Hospital Foundation and Chief Human Resource Officer for Roseland Community Hospital, said the hospital is committed to saving lives through early detection. She said having the mammogram van removes barriers like transportation, time and cost, for people who need to have these screenings, which need to be done on a yearly basis.
Glenn McGee said while it has served women on the Far South and South sides by providing access to mammogram screenings, it has also been across the city to provide those services. The van has been used during churches, schools and community events. Glenn McGee said whoever calls and wants to have the van come, they will come.
“This van makes sure no one is left behind,” she said.
Glenn McGee said the van has 3-D tomography imaging; this technology helps detect abnormal changes in the breast. She added that with technology there is improved diagnostic accuracy and less chance of a false positive result and call back. She said the comfort paddle on the machine is also very important when getting a mammogram done. The same kind of imaging unit is also inside of the hospital.
Since the van was launched in 2023, there have been more than 600 mammogram screenings on the van. Glenn McGee said Roseland Community Hospital’s goal with the mammogram van is to reach 1,000 mammogram screenings by the end of 2025.
Glenn McGee said the response from the women who have used the van has been positive. They are grateful to have access to the screenings. She added that there have been women who have been able to receive results of their mammograms that enabled them to receive the appropriate treatment. Receiving the diagnosis at an early stage has allowed them to receive treatment that could save their lives.
“We just want women to know, don’t wait, don’t delay, schedule your mammogram. Early detection saves lives and together we can help everyone in our community to get that important screening done,” she said. She added that the hospital’s goal is to provide comfort while also providing a much needed screening.
Roseland Community Hospital is located at 67 W. 111th St. For more information about Roseland Community Hospital, visit www.roselandhospital.org, or call 773-995-3000. For more information about the Illinois Breast and Cervical Cancer Program, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdkhnmn8, or call 888-522-1282 (800-547-0466 TTY).
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