ROME - New York State Senator Joseph Griffo announced this morning at a press conference that Rome Memorial Hospital is being awarded a legislative grant of $216,000 towards new digital mammography equipment for the new Women’s Imaging Center and MRI expansion. The grant is being administered to the hospital through the New York State Department of Health.

"Access to the latest technology in health care is an essential part of the quality of life in any community," State Senator Joseph A. Griffo said. "At a time when the needs of Rome Memorial Hospital are increasing, and the costs of important technology strain the ability of a community hospital to keep pace, I believe this investment that I fought for will help Rome Memorial Hospital serve the people of Central, Northern and Western Oneida County now and for many years to come."

"Rome Memorial Hospital provides excellent testing and screening services, and this equipment will help them provide even better health care to the women of our region. I will continue to fight for critical funding needed to promote good health and to provide the types of screening and testing that can lead to early treatment and longer, healthier lives," he added.

The expansion, which is slated for completion in 2009, features a two-story addition to house the hospital’s new Women’s Imaging Center and MRI. The $8.9 million project also includes a new Education Center.

"This Women’s Imaging Center brings together the best trained radiologists in the region and advanced technology in a welcoming environment. It’s very exciting to see this vision become a reality," said Rome Memorial Hospital President and CEO Darlene A. Burns, MS, RN.

The Women’s Imaging Center will consolidate mammography, ultrasound and bone density in one area to provide patients with greater comfort, privacy and convenience. The project includes investments in the latest technology including digital mammography and a new MRI to enhance the hospital’s diagnostic capabilities.

A study published earlier this year confirmed that digital mammography was much better than traditional film mammography at spotting breast cancers in younger women or those with dense breasts. Digital mammograms use less radiation than film mammograms and the images can be digitally stored and enhanced.

"Diagnosing disease is the first step in being able to treat it. That’s why we bring together some of the best trained radiologists in the region and provide them with innovative technology and expert technologists," said Burns. "Together these three elements enable us to provide our physicians with the information that they need to make accurate treatment decisions about the patient’s care."