Doylestown Health Opens Clark Center for Breast Imaging

Doylestown Health officially opened the Clark Center for Breast Imaging to offer state-of-the-art technology and services to promote early detection of breast disease.

The new center and expanded program are integral components of Doylestown Health’s Breast Cancer program, a nationally accredited Community Cancer program and a nationally accredited Breast Program offering comprehensive breast cancer and well-breast care. The Clark Center is designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology.

Named in recognition of the generosity of Angela and Richard Clark and their family, the Clark Center for Breast Imaging includes the program previously named the Women’s Diagnostic Center. The Clark Center for Breast Imaging has two locations: the enlarged and relocated center at Doylestown Hospital, located on the ground (basement) level off the hospital’s ArtWalk, and the updated location at the Health and Wellness Center on Route 611 in Warrington.

“The larger center at Doylestown Hospital and advanced technology in both locations allow us to increase access to and timeliness of care,” said Michele Kopach, MD, director of the Clark Center for Breast Imaging. “We don’t want to delay detection and treatment of breast disease.”

According to Dr. Kopach, two-thirds of breast cancers at Doylestown Health are found through screening mammograms. Breast cancers found and treated earlier are more likely to have better outcomes for patients. “The earlier the stage at diagnosis, the more treatable the cancer,” added Dr. Kopach.

The Clark Breast Imaging Doylestown Hospital location features:

• 5,000 square feet of new construction with additional space to accommodate patients efficiently and comfortably
• Additional dedicated imaging space including 3 mammography rooms, 3 ultrasound rooms, and 1 stereotactic room
• A new configuration for registration, patient waiting, private dressing rooms, and other clinical function areas to reduce wait times and improve patient experience
• Comfortable furnishings and amenities to create a welcoming and healing environment for patients and loved ones alike.
  
  

Clark Breast Imaging at the Health and Wellness Center in Warrington features upgraded mammography equipment to match the state-of-the-art equipment at Doylestown Hospital.

Doylestown Health began using 3D mammography (digital breast tomosynthesis) in 2015 and more recently started utilizing 3D mammography exclusively for all patients (regardless of insurance coverage) at the hospital and Health & Wellness Center. 3D mammography results in higher breast cancer detection rates and fewer false positives.

In 2021, Doylestown Health performed 23,000 mammograms at Doylestown Hospital and the Health and Wellness Center. The new Clark Breast Imaging will allow at least a 15 percent increase in the number of mammograms performed each year.

“The new space and program enhancements will allow us to meet the rising demand for diagnostic services in our community,” said Dr. Kopach. “We can treat more patients and reach more people who need to know how important it is to be screened for breast disease.”

Many patients put off routine screening mammograms during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Expanded space and registration capabilities, along with more evening and weekend hours for appointments, will allow the center to service patients overdue for routine mammography.

The center was designed to be as “pleasant and as stress free as possible,” notes Sue DeLuca, RT, R, M, BAS, Clinical Manager of Clark Breast Imaging. “We know it takes a lot for people to pick up the phone and make that call for a mammogram. The new center is more inviting and offers convenience and comfort for patients to encourage them to make and keep these important appointments.”

Learn more about Breast Cancer Services at Doylestown Health.