Sonora, CA…The Center for Breast Health at Sonora Regional Medical Center has been awarded a gold seal and three-year term of accreditation in mammography after a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The mammography program at Sonora Regional Medical Center has earned the gold seal of accreditation for more than a decade. The ACR’s gold seal of accreditation distinguishes high quality mammography programs for exceeding the requirements of standard accreditation.

Mammography uses a low-dose X-ray system to provide early detection and diagnosis of breast diseases. The Center for Breast Health at Sonora Regional Medical Center provides more than 6,500 mammograms each year, helping detect breast cancer in earlier stages when treatments are most successful. For patients needing additional diagnostic testing, the Center also provides stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and breast MRI.

“We have developed a comprehensive breast health program providing a quality patient experience with a caring, knowledgeable team of radiologists, technologists and nurses,” explains Robin Sergent, RN, imaging nurse navigator, who helps guide patients through the screening, recall and biopsy process. The imaging nurse navigators also work in collaboration with the oncology nurse navigator to streamline referral processes and expedite care when cancer is diagnosed. “We are proud that our program has once again been recognized by the ACR for exceeding quality and safety guidelines for mammography and that we have the opportunity to save lives by detecting breast cancer when it is most treatable.”

The ACR gold seal of accreditation is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Parameters and Technical Standards. Image quality, personnel qualifications, facility equipment, and quality assurance programs are assessed by board-certified, expert radiologists and medical physicists who report their findings to the ACR Committee on Accreditation. In addition to presenting the gold seal of accreditation, the ACR Committee also provides a comprehensive report to be used for continuous practice improvement.

For more information about the Center for Breast Health at Sonora Regional Medical Center, visit www.SonoraMedicalCenter.org/breasthealth or to schedule a mammogram call 209-536-3437.

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About the American College of Radiology
The ACR, founded in 1924, is a professional medical society dedicated to serving patients and society by empowering radiology professionals to advance the practice, science and professions of radiological care. The College serves more than 37,000 diagnostic/interventional radiologists, radiation oncologists, nuclear medicine physicians and medical physicists with programs focusing on the practice of medical imaging and radiation oncology and the delivery of comprehensive health care services.

About Sonora Regional Medical Center / Adventist Health Sonora
Sonora Regional Medical Center is a not-for-profit 152-bed health care facility including 72 acute beds, 12 swing beds, 68 skilled nursing beds and a large network of clinics, owned and operated by Adventist Health in Roseville, California. In addition to emergency and acute care services, other Sonora Regional Medical Center services include advanced cardiac care, cancer center, diagnostic imaging, home health, hospice, intensive care, obstetrics, rural health, surgical services, wellness center, wound care and hyperbaric oxygen, and over 20 primary care, urgent care and specialty clinics. The Medical Center provided care for 156,455 outpatient visits, 88,427 diagnostic imaging tests, 29,282 home care visits, 30,380 emergency department visits, and 4,433 hospital discharges in 2016. Staffed by over 180 physicians, 1,493 employees, and 121 volunteers, Sonora Regional Medical Center is the largest private employer in Tuolumne County. For more information about the Medical Center visit www.sonoramedicalcenter.org.

About Adventist Health
Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 75 communities in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Our workforce of 32,900 includes more than 23,600 employees; nearly 5,000 medical staff physicians; and 4,350 volunteers. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides compassionate care in 20 hospitals, more than 260 clinics (hospital-based, rural health and physician clinics), 15 home care agencies, seven hospice agencies and four joint-venture retirement centers. In addition, the Adventist Health Plan serves patients in Kings County. Visit AdventistHealth.org for more information.