MedStar Health News

CLINTON, MD - The American College of Radiology (ACR) has recognized the MedStar Regional Breast Health Program at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center (MSMHC) as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE). The BICOE designation is awarded to breast imaging centers that achieve excellence by seeking and earning accreditation in all of the ACR's voluntary accreditation programs and modules, according to Anna H. Choi, MD, Chief of Radiology at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center. MedStar Southern Maryland is accredited by this organization in mammography, stereotactic biopsy, breast ultrasound, ultrasound-guided biopsy, and breast MRI (via a relationship with MedStar Washington Hospital Center).

"The breast imaging team has been instrumental in maintaining high standards and meeting the high bar set forth by the American College of Radiology," said Dr. Choi. "I am very proud of the teamwork!"

MedStar Southern Maryland employs a team approach to treat breast health, of which Dr. Choi, as a breast image specialist, is a part. The team also includes a roster of OB/GYN's, medical and radiation oncologists, a contracted genetic counselor, Dr. Ekaterini Tsiapali, breast surgeon, and Dr. Sarah Sher, plastic surgeon.

"We are honored to receive this recognition," said MedStar Southern Maryland President Christine R. Wray. "Breast health is a significant health concern for women, and in southern Maryland, they can be reassured by our comprehensive program that includes preventative care, early screening, use of the latest technology and innovations in treatment, surgical options that minimize risk and recovery times, and after-care that is compassionate and diligent in follow-up. We are proud of our program, proud to serve southern Maryland and proud of this attention given by the Commission on Quality and Safety, and the Commission on Breast Imaging with the American College of Radiology."

MedStar Southern Maryland's breast care experts provide comprehensive breast care for both women and men. They treat a wide range of breast conditions, including breast cancer and benign breast disease. They also follow women who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer.

Our breast health services include:

• Disease prevention: breast self-exam training, risk assessment, genetic testing
• Routine evaluation: annual well-woman exams
• Breast imaging: screening, diagnostic and digital mammography, with breast radiologists to interpret the images
• Diagnostic evaluation: needle localization, open surgical biopsy, frozen section pathology, stereotactic biopsy, sentinel node biopsy
• Comprehensive treatment: treatment for benign breast disease and breast pain, fine needle aspiration, lumpectomy, partial or total mastectomy, reconstructive surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy

For more information, visit MedStarSouthernMaryland.org/Breast.

Dozens of high school students from Silver Spring, Maryland got the inside scoop on careers in healthcare, thanks to MedStar medical professionals who recently visited for Career Day.

Montgomery Blair High School and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital have partnered on the popular event for the last six years. Over the school’s lunch period, seven panelists took turns outlining their own career paths and imparting advice to students.

“Know your vision. Aim high. Use it to improve the world,” said Shirisha Avadhanula, MD, an endocrinologist at MedStar Georgetown.

Students interested in specific areas of study also enjoyed small group ‘Q & A’ sessions with the professionals, including Matthew Cooper, MD, director of Kidney and Pancreas Tranplantation at the MedStar Georgetown Transplant Institute.

“We chose a career that helps people. We’re energized that the next generation is interested in doing what we do,” Cooper said.

Cooper and Avadhanula were joined by Michael Manning, RN, BSN; Sameer Mehta, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS; Stephanie Cone, MOTR/L; Meghan Wilkinson, LAT, ATC,CSCS; and Jonathan Everett, Community Relations Coordinator at MedStar Family Choice.