For access to helpful radiology information and to see what’s new at TRA, please see our most recent new releases and newsletters below.

TRA Medical Imaging is in the process of reviewing the study released by the USPSTF. We join the following groups who stand by the existing guidelines:
American Cancer Society • National Cancer Institute • American College of Radiology • Society of Breast Imaging • Susan G. Komen for the Cure • Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

Q. Are the proposed guidelines affecting mammograms in effect now?
A. The USPSTF has made a recommendation based upon their study. It does not mandate a change. The current guidelines recommended by the American Cancer Society for annual screening mammograms for women beginning at age 40 remain in effect.

Q. I’m between 40 and 50 now and have been having mammograms, Will my insurance continue to cover my mammogram?
A. To date, there are no changes in health insurance coverage for screening mammograms, even if you are between the age of 40 and 50, or you are older than 50 and having an annual mammogram.

Q. Although it is not yet time for my mammogram, should I have one now just in case?
A. The current guidelines call for a mammogram once a year. This means that if you have your mammogram before the month you had one last year, your insurance will not likely cover it.

Q. What does the American Cancer Society say about these recommendations?
A. Otis W. Brawley, M.D., chief medical officer, American Cancer Society (ACS), says, “The American Cancer Society continues to recommend annual screening using mammography and clinical breast examination for all women beginning at age 40. Our experts make this recommendation having reviewed virtually all the same data reviewed by the USPSTF, but also additional data that the USPSTF did not consider.

University of Washington breast imaging expert Constance D. Lehman, MD, PhD, also of the ACS Breast Cancer Advisory Group adds, “Women need a clear message: early detection offers a woman the best chance for a cure and mammography is essential for early detection of breast cancer… In fact, according to the ACS, 17 percent of breast cancer deaths in 2006 were among women who were diagnosed between ages 40 and 49.

“We know that digital mammography significantly improves the detection of cancer in young women and in women with dense breast tissue…. Failing to identify those women in their 40s with cancer and having them wait until they are screened at age 50 is a disservice. By then breast cancer can be advanced and more difficult to treat.”

TRA Medical Imaging offers digital mammograms at TRA-Lakewood and TRA-Lilly (in Olympia).

For more information see:

www.cancer.org

www.komen.org

Race day registration begins at 7:30 am and the run begins at 9 am and costumes are optional. The race starts and finishes in the parking lot at 6712 Kimball Drive, near the Park & Ride, to the Cushman Trail for an out and back that includes random prizes to runners and walkers as well as a gift certificate for new shoes from Route 16 Running for the top male and female runners!

Monster Dash benefits the Moyer Foundation. The Moyer Foundation was founded in 2000 by former Mariner pitcher Jamie Moyer and his wife Karen. It provides comfort and local support to children enduring a time of profound physical, emotional or financial distress.

Advance registration is available through www.databarevents.com/monster8k.asp or in person at Northwest Sports Physical Therapy, Route 16 Running in Gig Harbor, or South Sound Running, Tacoma. Advance registration is $20 and includes a race shirt while supplies last.

For more information about the Monster Dash, call (253) 851-7472.

TRA Medical Imaging, the region’s premier radiology practice has outpatient imaging offices in Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Lakewood and Olympia. Northwest Sports Physical Therapy provides physical and hand therapy in both Tacoma and Gig Harbor. Both organizations are committed to good health and fitness.

“The physicians and staff of Northwest Radiology Group have created a trustworthy and valued radiology practice with a reputation for caring staff and experienced radiologists,” said Michael T. Dowd, M.D., Radiologist and President of TRA Medical Imaging. “Partnering with Northwest Radiology Group provides us with a convenient location in the Olympia market that operates under a similar philosophy of providing superior service and care complementary to our own. We believe that a collaboration of Northwest Radiology Group and TRA Medical Imaging will be a positive step for our doctors, patients, employees, and the medical community in the region.”

“In order to continue serving our patients with excellent care and state-of-the-art technology we felt the time was right to partner with TRA Medical Imaging,” said Randall M. Patten, M.D., Radiologist and owner of Northwest Radiology Group. “With TRA’s unrivaled reputation for advanced technology, quality care and dedication to service by its physicians and staff for more than 65 years, there was never any doubt as to whom we would partner with. Our Northwest Radiology Group team is proud to join TRA.”

Randall M. Patten, M.D., a board certified radiologist, fellowship trained in ultrasound, CT and MRI, will remain an integral part of the Olympia area facilities, serving as Medical Director and providing the same level of care that both TRA and Northwest Radiology Group’s patients have come to expect. In addition, Greg Pearson has been hired as Center Manager of the Olympia facility on Lilly Road.

About TRA Medical Imaging
Founded in 1943, TRA Medical Imaging is a local partnership of board certified radiology physicians who currently operate outpatient medical imaging clinics and provide diagnostic imaging, interventional radiology and neurointerventional surgical services in local hospitals. These local hospitals include Franciscan Health System: St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Anthony Hospital, St. Clare Hospital, St. Francis Hospital; MultiCare Health System: Tacoma General Hospital/Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center. TRA’s outpatient medical imaging clinics are in the Tacoma, Lakewood and Gig Harbor communities.

About Northwest Radiology Group
Founded in 2004, Northwest Radiology Group provides excellence in diagnostic imaging and unsurpassed care and service for the patients and clinicians in the Olympia area. All services are provided by highly trained professionals utilizing state-of-the-art equipment to produce efficient and timely exams in a caring and compassionate atmosphere. For more information about Northwest Radiology Group, visit www.nwradiologygroup.com.

Three leading local health care organizations, Franciscan Health System, MultiCare Health System, and TRA Medical Imaging announced the creation of a state-of-the-art breast center for residents of Tacoma and the entire Puget Sound region. They are joined by the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation, a Tacoma-based private philanthropic organization that has committed $5 million toward the development of the center.

The three largest providers of breast imaging services in the area are pooling their resources and collaborating on the creation of this state-of-the-art facility to offer the highest quality diagnostic care while significantly reducing the time from screening to diagnosis. The $16 million, not-for-profit Carol Milgard Breast Center will open in Tacoma during the first quarter of 2009.

“The creation of this center is the realization of a dream that we have been working toward for years,” said Dr. Khai Tran, medical director of mammography and women’s imaging at TRA Medical Imaging in Tacoma. “With this center, we will be able to provide a level of care for the community that will be unsurpassed – in Seattle or anywhere else. By combining a comfortable, caring environment with the newest technology and highly trained and specialized staff, we will be able to focus on helping women through what is often a very stressful time.”

The Carol Milgard Breast Center will offer screening and diagnostic services including digital mammography, breast ultrasound, breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and breast biopsy, including sterotactic, ultrasound-guided and MRI-guided biopsy, and bone density services. The center will offer educational programs for physicians and community members, and outreach and support for patients, families and survivors. CMBC will also work to provide care to all women regardless of socio-economic status.

The center was named to honor the spirit of a woman who was a long-time Tacoma resident, philanthropist, and breast cancer survivor.
"Our foundation is honored to be involved in the breast care center,” said Cari Milgard-DeGoede, of the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation, and daughter of Gary and Carol Milgard. “This cause is near and dear to us as our mom was a 30-year breast cancer survivor. She was a ray of sunshine and offered enthusiasm and hope to everyone she met. She would be proud to know that we have honored her by participating in a world-class operation that offers better care, technology, and turn-around times for women needing breast care."

MultiCare, Franciscan and TRA are coordinating breast care services and will no longer be offering breast imaging services at Tacoma General Hospital, Allenmore Medical Center, St. Joseph Medical Center, Franciscan Gig Harbor Medical Pavilion on Kimball Drive or TRA Tacoma, when the new center opens. The Carol Milgard Breast Center will serve patients from these facilities and the rest of the community.

“We are very excited about this joint venture and what it will do for the entire region,” said Diane Cecchettini, RN, President and CEO of MultiCare Health System. “All of us feel strongly that we are making an investment in this community for the sake of our daughters, granddaughters and great granddaughters.”

“There has been an incredible amount of good will around the table,” said Joe Wilczek, President and CEO of Franciscan Health System. “Quality breast screening is a community-wide service that touches half the population. All of the individuals and organizations partnering on this project agree that it is crucial that South Sound residents have local access to first-class care.”

The Carol Milgard Breast Center, with its singular focus on breast screening and diagnosis, will employ board certified radiology physicians specially trained in breast imaging and will comply with best practices for care established by the Mammography Quality Standards Act passed by Congress in 1992, as well as voluntary guidelines recommended by the American Cancer Society.

“All these organizations – TRA, MultiCare, Franciscan and the Milgard Family Foundation – share an overall goal of shortening the time between diagnosis and treatment of breast care for all women, regardless of socioeconomic status,” said Marcy Parsons, program director for the Carol Milgard Breast Center. “With highly trained medical and professional staff members focused on nothing but breast care, we believe we will make incredible strides toward improving breast care for all women in the region.”

Franciscan Health System includes four hospitals, with a fifth to open in Gig Harbor in early 2009; a multispecialty medical group with more than 50 clinics throughout the South Sound, as well as Franciscan Hospice and Palliative Care which features Hospice House in University Place. The not-for-profit Franciscan has served the community since 1891.

MultiCare is an integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. MultiCare serves patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties.

TRA Medical Imaging is a local partnership of radiology physicians formed in 1943. The radiologists of TRA Medical Imaging currently serve Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, St. Clare Hospital, St. Francis Hospital, St. Joseph Medical Center and Tacoma General Hospital and TRA’s four outpatient imaging centers. TRA radiologists are board certified, subspecialty trained and focused, and provide diagnostic radiology, interventional and neurointerventional radiology services to the community.

Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation is a private philanthropic organization founded in Tacoma, Washington in 2000 by Gary and Carol Milgard, and their three children Cari Milgard-DeGoede, Lori Milgard-Rivera and Mark Milgard. The family feels this is a way for them to give back to the community that helped them to become so successful. They will continue to educate their descendants in the value of community service. Although Mr. Milgard is the founder of Milgard Manufacturing, Inc., there is no affiliation between the company and the foundation.