Woman’s Hospital’s new mobile bus brings health screenings to communities
Woman’s Hospital in Baton Rouge, La., unveiled its mobile mammography bus, a state-of-the-art unit equipped with 3D imaging technology, with the goal of expanding access to life-saving breast cancer screenings across Louisiana and parts of Mississippi. The new bus replaces an older model and will continue the hospital’s mission of reaching underserved communities. Last year, Woman’s mobile units provided nearly 5,000 screenings across 398 trips to 37 parishes and two counties.
“Each year our coaches make hundreds of trips providing thousands of mammograms to women who otherwise might not receive one,” said Rene Ragas, president and CEO of Woman’s Hospital. “We are thankful to Foundation for Woman’s for making this new coach possible, giving more women the opportunity to become proactive about their health.”
The mobile coach program is more than just a vehicle — it’s a lifeline for early detection and prevention. By visiting schools, churches and community centers, the coaches eliminate barriers to care and bring critical health services directly to women. Bruce Greenstein, secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health, emphasized the program’s impact. “The mobile mammography coach effectively serves as a force multiplier, allowing us to break down barriers to care and provide testing for thousands of women we may otherwise not reach.”