July 07, 2009

Mercy Hospital Grayling Now Providing Digital Mammography
New technology provides more accurate images and takes less than half the time of traditional film-based exams. At MHG, women can often schedule same or next day appointments for mammograms

Grayling, MI - Mercy Hospital Grayling has expanded its health and wellness services available to women with the addition of a new Selenia(tm) digital mammography system from Hologic(r).

"Digital mammography will allow us to provide our patients with the highest quality of care in the prevention and early detection of breast cancer," said Mercy Hospital Grayling Radiologist Dr. Robert Balestrero.

Digital mammography allows the radiologist to view the x-ray image more closely zeroing in on suspicious or concerning areas.

"Women age 40 and over should have a mammogram every year and should continue to do so as long as they are in good health," said Balestrero. "At Mercy Grayling, women can often schedule same or next day appointments. Appointments usually take less than an hour and women have the results in just a few days. The whole process is quick, easy and alleviates worrying and waiting for results."

Mercy Hospital Grayling provides a comprehensive scope of women's health services including mammography, bone density screenings and obstetrics and gynecology. The installation of the new technology is part of a larger $6 million renovation of the outpatient services wing at Mercy Hospital Grayling that included mammography, bone density, CT, cardiology, patient registration and office space for specialty physicians.

"Each and every patient at Mercy Hospital Grayling receives personalized care designed to meet her individual needs. Our staff is highly trained and our equipment is state-of-the art," said Stephanie Riemer-Matuzak, Chief Executive Officer. "We are committed to providing exceptional care to the women in our community."

For more information or to schedule a mammogram appointment at Mercy Hospital Grayling, please call (989) 348-0380. To schedule a mammogram, women will need a radiology order from their primary care physician. If you need a primary care physician, please call 1 (800) 533-5520.

About Mercy Hospital Grayling
Mercy Hospital Grayling is a 49 bed acute-care hospital serving north central Michigan that also includes a separate 40-bed skilled nursing facility, an extensive ambulatory (outpatient) facility and a medical staff of over 40 physicians. Mercy Hospital Grayling's annual benefit to the surrounding community is more than $5.5 million. Mercy is owned by Trinity Health, the fourth-largest Catholic health care system in the country.

Contact:  Contact Carrie Gray
Director of Marketing and Communications
(989) 348-0594
cgray4@trinity-health.org