Owensboro Health has launched a new state-of-the-art mobile mammography unit to expand access to breast cancer screenings across the region.
The mobile unit, which has been in development for roughly 18 months, is designed to travel throughout Owensboro Health’s service area, bringing screenings directly to workplaces, community events, and underserved areas.
Beth Steele, chief operating officer of Owensboro Health, said the project represents a major milestone for the organization and its mission to improve community health.
“It’s been an 18-month journey for us to be able to bring this out to our communities that we serve,” Steele said. “It’s a pretty fabulous dream that’s come true, and we know that women, when they see this, will either participate by getting their screening, or maybe it will just remind them to go get their screening, and it saves lives.”
Steele said the unit will serve as both a healthcare resource and a visible reminder of the importance of regular screenings.
“To me, bringing the care to all the regions that we serve is the best way we know how to meet our mission,” she said.
The unit was designed and fabricated by Brewco Marketing Group, headquartered in Central City.
It will offer 3D mammography and is designed to provide the same level of care as a hospital-based screening, with exams typically taking less than 15 minutes and results reviewed by radiologists within a few days.
Officials said the clinic will travel to workplaces, community events, and rural areas, helping eliminate common barriers such as transportation, time constraints, and access to care. Walk-ins will also be accepted, making screenings more convenient for patients.
Community leaders said the mobile clinic removes many of the obstacles that often prevent women from receiving timely screenings.
Dave Kirk, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, said transportation, time constraints, and childcare are among the biggest challenges.
“This is such a great example of innovation,” Kirk said. “There’s nothing more neighborly than bringing healthcare to your front door. It’s meeting people where they are. This makes it so that there are no barriers for these women to get screened, hopefully prevent anything from happening before it’s too late.”
Karen Dennis, Owensboro Health’s director of outpatient radiology, said the unit will be especially impactful for busy families and those who struggle to access traditional healthcare settings.
“This unit will be especially meaningful to those moms who are trying to work, get their kids to school, get them to practices, and take care of aging parents,” Dennis said. “We are going to go out into the region, and I look forward to seeing this bus rolling down the highway, expanding access to care, and truly making a difference in women’s lives.”
Dennis shared a letter from an Owensboro Health employee that highlighted the importance of convenient access to screenings.
“I was on my way to work, running late. On the opposite side of the road, I saw a mobile mammography clinic parked in a church parking lot,” the employee wrote. “Before I knew it, my car was turning in there. I knocked on the door and asked if they could work me in since I was a little behind on my yearly mammogram.”
The employee said the screening led to additional testing.
“My life changed in those two weeks waiting for those results,” she wrote. “The doctor told me that if I hadn’t stopped to get the mammogram when I did, it definitely would have become cancer. I’m glad I didn’t wait.”
Leaders with the Owensboro Health Foundation said donor support played a key role in bringing the project to life.
Tracy Naylor, senior director of the foundation, said the initiative reflects the organization’s mission and the generosity of the community.
“What we’re seeing here today is because of that generosity,” Naylor said. “Our donors, our corporate partners, our grant funders, and our employees made this possible.”
Dr. Jim Tidwell, vice president of population health, emphasized the broader impact of mammography and early detection.
“It’s estimated that 13.1% of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime — about one in eight,” Tidwell said. “Mammography has helped decrease breast cancer mortality by 44% in the United States.”
Tidwell said the mobile unit is focused on improving outcomes locally by increasing access.
“Mobile mammography is entirely about access,” he said. “We’re seeking to reduce or eliminate the barriers that prevent women from being screened.”
He added that the unit will help reach populations that historically experience worse outcomes due to later-stage diagnoses.
“This will help us target those groups and eliminate disparities within our community,” Tidwell said.
Owensboro Health officials said the mobile mammography unit will begin traveling throughout the region in the coming weeks, offering screenings and helping raise awareness about the importance of early detection.
By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times