St. Luke’s opens new breast imaging center, citing national trend of growing wait times

St. Luke’s University Health Network has opened a new Women’s Imaging Center at its flagship hospital in Fountain Hill to expand access to diagnostic breast imaging services for patients in the Lehigh Valley.

The new center addresses growing national wait times for screening and diagnostic mammograms that have increased since COVID, providing patients with an additional, centrally located diagnostic imaging option.

“This investment in advanced imaging technology is a reflection of St. Luke’s commitment to providing the very best individualized breast care for each patient based on their unique history and risk factors,” said Michele Brands, network director of women’s imaging at St. Luke’s.

The Bethlehem facility offers comprehensive diagnostic services including diagnostic mammography using GE HealthCare’s Senographe Pristina technology, which features superior diagnostic accuracy for 3D diagnostic breast tomosynthesis at the same low dose as 2D full-field digital mammography.

The center also provides stereotactic and ultrasound-guided biopsies, diagnostic breast ultrasound, and screening mammograms.

“St. Luke’s is committed to improving access to mammography and breast ultrasound services for women in the Lehigh Valley,” said Dr. Karl N. Yaeger, division chief of women’s imaging. “By increasing diagnostic access for patients at the newly renovated Bethlehem campus, we can now expand access to the One Stop Breast Clinic services at the Regional Breast Center in Center Valley.”

St. Luke’s currently offers One-Stop Breast Clinic services at Regional Breast Centers in both Center Valley and Monroe County.

Generative AI was used to organize and structure this story, based on data provided by St. Luke’s University Health Network. It was reviewed and edited by lehighvalleylive.com staff.

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