TUSTIN, Calif., September 29, 2022 – In celebration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Families Together of Orange County (FTOC), a nonprofit community health center, is breaking down barriers to access mammogram screening services with the launch of its in-house mammogram screening services on October 4, making it one of the only community health centers in Orange County to offer the service within its clinic.
Families Together will provide the most modern mammogram screenings with its state of the art 3D Hologic Tomo Mammogram Machine. Designed to be the fastest, highest resolution breast tomosynthesis system, patients will have access to some of the best mammogram technology in the world.
Most community health centers in Southern California are made to outsource mammogram screenings, leading to wait times of up to three months. With the launch of in-house mammogram services at Families Together, the health center’s patients will now have access to mammogram screenings anywhere between 3 days to 5 days from the date of the referral. However, the service is also open to referrals from other community health centers and healthcare organizations.
Alexander Rossel, CEO of Families Together of Orange County, states:
“Families Together is always listening to the concerns of our patients, and we’re so excited to be able to further assist our community with much needed mammogram screening services. As we celebrate Breast Cancer Awareness Month, our hope is to help minimize this gap in mammogram services, shorten patient wait times for referrals and ultimately, help save lives.”
FTOC works to bridge the gap in access to essential health services for some of the most vulnerable populations in Orange County. Traditionally, the barriers to obtaining breast cancer screenings are similar to barriers in access to healthcare services such as low income or cost concerns, lack of access to transportation, lack of a consistent health care provider, lack of knowledge, and cultural and language differences. Families Together has built an infrastructure that addresses most barriers for a variety of health and wellness services, and is now positioned to extend this bridge to mammogram screening services.
Unlike most healthcare facilities, community health centers like Families Together are committed to serving everyone and offer options like a sliding fee scale and programs such as Every Woman Counts for the uninsured and underinsured population. This allows patients who might not be able to afford a mammogram screening the ability to obtain one. Additionally, the health center’s reputation for cultural competency among the Spanish speaking community along with free transportation to and from appointments assist with breaking down additional barriers to care.
The organization is celebrating the launch of its Mammogram Services with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Tuesday, October 4 where elected officials, representatives from Families Together of Orange County and partner organizations will come together for the occasion.
Families Together patients and members of the community will be able to access mammogram services via referrals from their primary care provider starting Tuesday, October 4.
About Families Together of Orange County Community Health Center
Since 2003, Families Together of Orange County Community Health Center (FTOC) has proudly served the Orange County community with a myriad of health services while providing a welcoming, multi-lingual and patient – centered medical home to all. FTOC is a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit, FQHC look-alike, a member of the Coalition of Orange County Community Health Centers and the California Primary Care Association.
Please visit www.familiestogetheroc.org for more information on Families Together of Orange County and for the latest updates.
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