11th annual “Breast Cancer Brunch for a Cure”

(West Islip, NY) Students from Bay Shore High School recently joined the fight against breast cancer by organizing the 11th annual “Breast Cancer Brunch for a Cure” to promote research and awareness. At the event, Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center’s Director of the Women’s Imaging Center Melinda J. Staiger, MD, FACR gave an overview on the latest advances in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment including 3-D digital tomosynthesis—first offered by Good Samaritan. When used in conjunction with other mammography technologies, this advanced imaging procedure is able to detect abnormalities in dense breast tissue, helping to save lives.

Over the past three years, Bay Shore High School has raised almost $12,000 for Good Samaritan Hospital’s breast health services with proceeds benefitting the development of educational materials for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. “We wanted to play an active role in breast cancer awareness in our community,” said this year’s student event chairs Kaitlyn Arnold, Perri Baker, Matt Cohen and Betsy Glynn.

Good Samaritan earned a three-year/full accreditation designation by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers (NAPBC), a program administered by the American College of Surgeons. Good Samaritan’s nurse navigators guide patients from the moment of diagnosis through treatment and into survivorship, helping them to overcome any obstacles. The entire team is committed to providing timely and expert care until the completion of treatment and beyond.

For more information about The Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation or Good Samaritan Hospital’s breast health services, please call (631) 376-4444.

Pictured (L-R): Good Samaritan’s Breast Health Services Coordinator Bonnie Edsall, RN, Bay Shore High School student event chairs Kaitlyn Arnold, Perri Baker, Matt Cohen and Betsy Glynn, The Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation Financial Chairperson Aileen Eppig, Good Samaritan’s Development Coordinator Rita Zollo.

Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center is a 537-bed (including 100 nursing home beds), voluntary, not-for-profit hospital located in West Islip.  The medical center, which has more than 4,500 employees and almost 900 physicians on staff, had nearly 30,000 patient admissions and more than 95,000 emergency department visits in 2011.  Good Samaritan is a member of Catholic Health Services of Long Island. Visit the website at www.good-samaritan-hospital.org.

Good Samaritan provided more than $43 million in community service and charity care in 2011.  The medical center supplies residents with the tools necessary to maintain good health.  This includes community lectures, screenings, health fairs and other community programs and services.