September 16, 2004

BIGFORK VALLEY NEWS RELEASE

For immediate release

NEW MAMMOGRAPHY SYSTEM AT BIGFORK VALLEY HOSPITAL

Bigfork Valley Hospital is offering a new state-of-the-art mammography system to provide the highest quality breast cancer screening services to area women.

Early detection of breast cancer is important for positive outcomes in treatment of the disease, and annual mammograms are suggested for all women over 40. The new LORAD M-IV Platinum system installed at Bigfork Valley combines excellent quality images with a more comfortable procedure.

“This new equipment allows us not only to improve the quality of our services in mammography,” said Brenda Schmitz, director of the Imaging Department at the hospital, “but also allows us more flexibility in scheduling and completing continued care locally."

“We are pleased to be able to bring this advanced equipment to our hospital,” said Dan Odegaard, CEO of Bigfork Valley. “It has been one of our priorities to improve our services in mammography, which we see as a very important service for women in our area.”

Photo: Mary Christensen, registered technologist at Bigfork Valley Hospital, with the new mammography equipment