By Susan Van Dusen
April 5, 2021 | LITTLE ROCK — A spacious new center offering comprehensive breast imaging services opened today in the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS).
The Breast Center is located on the third floor of the Cancer Institute and offers a complete array of services, including mammography, ultrasound and image-guided biopsy. An MRI dedicated exclusively to breast imaging is scheduled be installed in the center later this year.
“We are thrilled to welcome patients to our beautiful new facility. Not only will we continue to offer the outstanding services we always have, but those services will now be coupled with the comforting environment our patients deserve,” said Gwendolyn Bryant-Smith, M.D., director of the Breast Center.
The center, which was previously housed in the UAMS Outpatient Center, encompasses about 12,000 square feet and includes five mammography rooms, five ultrasound rooms, space for image-guided biopsies, large patient dressing rooms and a waiting area filled with natural light.
“The Breast Center is the second of three new clinics at the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, with our sixth floor infusion clinic opening first several months ago and the multi-disciplinary clinic on the seventh floor opening this fall. This is an exciting time for the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute,” said Michael Birrer, M.D., Ph.D., UAMS vice chancellor and director of the Cancer Institute.
Original artwork by female Arkansas artists will be featured throughout the center, adding to the relaxing environment.
“By increasing the number of mammography and ultrasound rooms we offer, we increase our capacity to serve more women each day,” said Bryant-Smith, who also is division chief of breast imaging at UAMS and director of the mobile mammography program.
The center will continue to offer same-day results for all screening and diagnostic mammograms, as well as the ability to follow up immediately with additional imaging and procedures for women who require more testing.
Radiologists at the Breast Center are part of the UAMS Breast Cancer Team, a group of specialists from various areas who work together to offer personalized treatment for each patient.
“If a cancer is found by one of the doctors in the Breast Center, we refer the patient to our UAMS Cancer Institute breast surgeons, medical oncologists and radiation oncologists for treatment,” Bryant-Smith said, adding that the team also includes geneticists, pathologists, behavioral medicine specialists and others dedicated to the care of breast cancer patients.
In recognition of the Breast Center’s high standards, the facility was named a Breast Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology. This prestigious recognition includes a mandatory accreditation in mammography and voluntary accreditations in stereotactic core biopsy, ultrasound, ultrasound-guided biopsy and breast MRI.
“The fact that we have accreditation in all of these areas demonstrates our commitment to every area of breast health,” Bryant-Smith said.
In addition to Bryant-Smith, the Breast Center’s physicians include Scott Harter, M.D., and breast fellow Patrick Jennings, M.D., who will remain at UAMS upon completing his fellowship in July. Also that month, radiologist Rachel Taylor, M.D., is slated to join the Breast Center.
To make an appointment, call 501-526-6100.
UAMS is the state’s only health sciences university, with colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Public Health; a graduate school; hospital; a main campus in Little Rock; a Northwest Arkansas regional campus in Fayetteville; a statewide network of regional campuses; and seven institutes: the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, Jackson T. Stephens Spine & Neurosciences Institute, Harvey & Bernice Jones Eye Institute, Psychiatric Research Institute, Donald W. Reynolds Institute on Aging, Translational Research Institute and Institute for Digital Health & Innovation. UAMS includes UAMS Health, a statewide health system that encompasses all of UAMS’ clinical enterprise including its hospital, regional clinics and clinics it operates or staffs in cooperation with other providers. UAMS is the only adult Level 1 trauma center in the state. U.S. News & World Report named UAMS Medical Center the state’s Best Hospital; ranked its ear, nose and throat program among the top 50 nationwide; and named six areas as high performing — COPD, colon cancer surgery, heart failure, hip replacement, knee replacement and lung cancer surgery. UAMS has 2,876 students, 898 medical residents and four dental residents. It is the state’s largest public employer with more than 10,000 employees, including 1,200 physicians who provide care to patients at UAMS, its regional campuses, Arkansas Children’s Hospital, the VA Medical Center and Baptist Health. Visit www.uams.edu or www.uamshealth.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or Instagram.
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