Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Celebrates the Ribbon Cuttings of Tennessee’s First 3D Mobile Mammography Coach

Ascension Saint Thomas leadership and other notable Murfressboro community members were among those in attendance at Thursday’s ribbon cutting celebration for Ascension Saint Thomas first 3D mammography bus.

The 44-foot coach is outfitted with an imaging test that creates a three-dimensional picture of the breast. Set to serve 26 counties in the Middle Tennessee area, this coach will contribute to early detection and a reduction in late-stage breast cancer and breast cancer mortality by providing crucial access to screening mammography.

“Our Mission in Motion program delivers potentially life-saving mammograms to women who might otherwise lack access to this vital service,” said Jennifer Keaton, Regional Director of Operations at Ascension Saint Thomas. “Moving forward, our additional buses will be updated and 3D tomosynthesis capabilities will replace our existing mobile breast-screening technology, in hopes of being more available to women in Middle Tennessee.”

Event speakers included Gordon Ferguson, president and chief executive officer of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital; Gina DeJean, foundation director of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital; Jennifer Keaton, Regional Director of Operations of Ascension Medical Group; Patty Marschel, foundation and hospital board member of Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Hospital; Anne Davis, president of the Christy Houston Foundation; and Kelly Large, mobile health practice manager of Ascension Medical Group Tennessee.

This coach is made possible by the donors to the Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation, The Ascension Saint Thomas Foundation, the Christy Houston Foundation, and through the Our Mission in Motion program, an Ascension Saint Thomas initiative to increase access to breast health services to underserved, uninsured, and low-income patients.