Submitted photoAnderson Regional Breast Center Staff: Sitting, from left to right: April Smith, Ashley Neal, Kimberly Rainer, Shanta Elliott; Standing, from left to right: Dr. Amy Coleman, Debra House, Flossie Straight, Kay Rains, Cynthia Rigdon, Sharlyn Braddock.

After passing an annual inspection required by the Mammography Quality Standards Act and receiving a fourth consecutive three-year accreditation by American College of Radiology (ACR), Anderson Regional Breast Center remains Meridian’s most advanced breast imaging facility.

The center re-opened in a larger facility in 2007 to now provide a full line of breast imaging services including digital mammography, breast MRI, breast ultrasound, breast ultrasound biopsy and stereotactic biopsy, marking ten years of breast imaging superiority.

“It is important to us that our facility, personnel and equipment meet nationally-accepted standards of care, so we undergo rigorous review processes on a regular basis,” John G. Anderson, President and CEO of Anderson Regional Health System, said. “We are very proud to provide this community with the highest level of breast imaging services available.”

Amy Coleman, M.D., Lead Interpreting Physician at Anderson Regional Breast Center, said, “These recognitions signify that this facility meets quality assurance and safety guidelines. Patients can rest assured that our equipment and personnel qualifications exceed the national standards. Our personnel are educated, certified and well-qualified in breast imaging, image interpretation, and performing multiple breast cancer detection procedures on-site.

Sharlyn Braddock, Director of Anderson Regional Breast Center, said, “We take great pride that our breast center voluntarily maintains the Imaging Center of Excellence status designated only to those whose efforts go above the minimal requirements.”

Passed by Congress in 1992, the Mammography Quality Standards Act requires mammography facilities across the nation to meet uniform quality standards, assuring high-quality mammography for early breast cancer detection.

Under the law, all mammography facilities must: 1) be accredited by an FDA-approved accreditation body, 2) be certified by FDA, or it’s State, as meeting the standards, 3) undergo an annual MQSA inspection, and 4) prominently display the certificate issued by the agency.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety.

It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Image quality, personnel

qualifications, adequacy of facility equipment, quality control procedures, and quality assurance programs are assessed.

This reaccreditation qualifies Anderson Regional Breast Center to continue its designation as the area’s only Breast Imaging Center of Excellence. As a Breast Center of Excellence, Anderson has achieved accreditation in mammography (required of all breast centers), breast MRI, breast ultrasound, breast ultrasound biopsy and stereotactic biopsy.

Anderson Regional Health System is the most comprehensive health system in the East Mississippi/ West Alabama area and the established leader in offering premier medical services.

With two hospitals, a regional cancer center, and a network of clinics, Anderson’s healthcare professionals are committed to the mission of providing a heritage of healing and improving life for the people they serve.