DOYLESTOWN, PA – Doylestown Health celebrated the ribbon-cutting and dedication of the new Clark Center for Breast Imaging on Tuesday, April 26. Formerly known as the Women’s Diagnostic Center, Clark Breast Imaging will open officially on Monday, May 2, in a new suite on the ground floor of Doylestown Hospital, capable of serving more patients than ever before in response to rising demand for breast imaging services in the region.

Clark Breast Imaging is named in recognition of the generosity of Angela and Dick Clark, chairs of ONE VISION: The Campaign for Doylestown Health, as well as their family: Kelly and David Patterson, and Lisa and Steve Wurster. The Clarks have supported multiple areas across the health system, including the Clark Center for Critical Care Medicine (opened in April 2021) and the Clark Outpatient Rehabilitation Center (opened in December 2020).

The 5,000 square feet of new space nearly doubles the size of the former Women’s Diagnostic Center which operated in a second-floor suite at the hospital for 25 years. Nationally accredited and designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence (BICOE) by the American College of Radiology (ACR), the new Clark Center for Breast Imaging will be able to serve 2,500 additional patients each year—a 15 percent increase in volume from the 17,000 served annually by the former Women’s Diagnostic Center. Services include breast imaging, biopsy, and ultrasound, as well as the latest digital technology enhanced by computer-aided detection (CAD) software for the earliest possible detection of breast disease.

The $3.7 million project received $1 million in grant funding from Pennsylvania’s Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), as well as support from the Clark family, the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA), and numerous individual donors. In addition to the new suite at the hospital, project costs included new 3D mammography and ultrasound equipment for both the hospital location and the Health and Wellness Center site in Warrington.

Jim Brexler, President and Chief Executive Officer of Doylestown Health, welcomed guests alongside Joan Parlee, Chair of the Boards of Doylestown Hospital and Doylestown Health Foundation. Speakers included Barbara Ann Price, President of the Village Improvement Association of Doylestown (VIA); Patti Stover, RN, MSN, NE-BC, Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer; Michele Kopach, MD, Director of the Clark Center for Breast Imaging; and Kelly Patterson on behalf of the Clark family.

In addition, Denise Johnson, MD, Physician General and newly named Acting Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, as well as Sen. Steven J. Santarsiero offered remarks and congratulations prior to the ribbon-cutting. Santarsiero, as well as former Reps. Marguerite Quinn and Wendy Ullman, who were present as guests, were instrumental in obtaining the RACP grant for the project. Other elected officials present included Noni West, Mayor of Doylestown, Jack O’Brien, President of Doylestown Borough Council, and Vail Garvin, PhD, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Central Bucks Chamber of Commerce. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick was unable to attend, but staff member Macklin Wagner appeared on his behalf.

“Diagnostic imaging is one of our fastest growing services,” said Brexler, “touching thousands of lives every year. Through advanced imaging we are able to detect breast disease and begin treating it before symptoms are present. This is life-saving work, and we are proud to be able to invest in making it more readily available for more people than ever before, regardless of their ability to pay.”

Brexler also acknowledged Doylestown Health’s commitment to serving at-risk and underserved populations through partnerships with the Ann Silverman Community Health Clinic and Pennsylvania’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program.

“We would like to thank everyone who helped Doylestown Health become a leader in the healthcare field,” said Patterson, “whether by investing in the hospital to expand this important service or by advocating to secure crucial grant dollars, and by designing and building a space that makes patients feel more comfortable during a stressful experience.”

“The Clark Center for Breast Imaging is the latest example of Doylestown Health’s prevailing dedication to patient- and caregiver-centered design,” said Stover. The new space was designed to create a soothing, spa-like atmosphere for patients, many of whom experience high levels of anxiety around symptoms of breast disease.

Dr. Kopach explained, “Screening mammograms are also done for patients with no symptoms. Approximately two thirds of the cancers we find each year are found through routine screening mammograms. Our goal is to reduce the reluctance to have a mammogram. This lovely new space is an excellent step toward helping us encourage more women to get screening mammograms. Thank you for providing a new center so we can continue to do what we do best and save lives!”

Clark Breast Imaging was announced as a priority of the One Vision Campaign in 2020, and the RACP funding was awarded in January of 2021. Upcoming campaign priority milestones include the Morel Family Foundation Center for Prenatal Care, and the reconstruction of Children’s Village, the early childhood education center on the campus of Doylestown Hospital. This month, the One Vision Campaign reached $91.8 million in contributions toward its $100 million goal by 2023.

Naming opportunities are still available throughout Doylestown Hospital and Pine Run Retirement Community. For more information on naming opportunities, campaign progress, and campaign goals, click  here.