By Stephanie Springer - bio | email
TIFTON, GA (WALB) –Work sometimes gets in the way of, well life. It's often tough to find the time to even go see a doctor.
Women in Tift County now have an option available after work. It's a place where they can take care of important health needs.
The whole idea behind the program is to reach out to working women and get them in for a screening mammogram at a more convenient time.
Tift Regional started this program last October but its gone so well they now offer it several times throughout the year.
Victoria Beranek has put in some long hours at Tift Regional medical center. "Sometimes I might have to do nights and sometimes I might have to do some really early mornings and cover where ever I'm needed," said Beranek.
But just because she works at the hospital doesn't always mean she has time to schedule her own appointments.
Which means she's put off doctor's visits, like many working women do.
"I had to get my eyes checked, but I must have rescheduled it five or six times because their hours did not coincide with mine," said Beranek.
But finally, there is something available for women like Bernek who don't have time to make appointments during the day. "I know that would be more convenient for me to come after my hours because I know when I get off they are not here," said Beranek.
Its called "Girls night out" and its a way for a woman to get her annual screening mammogram after work. "A screening mammogram is just for a women, its just an annual check up they have no symptoms no lumps or anything like that," said Director of Radiology Jerry Flannery.
But its more than just an exam its a whole lot of fun.
Patients get to enjoy hor d'oeuvres, hand treatments, massages and even facials in between her exams. "As far as getting a mammogram done that just takes 10 minutes but we have ladies come and visit and stay for almost the whole event," said Flannery.
Bernak says she hasn't been yet but she cant wait to join in on the fun. "I would love to come because I hear they offer massages and I have to go pay for one every month," said Bernak.
The American Cancer society recommends women start their annual screening mammogram at age forty unless there is a history of breast cancer in the family.
The TRMC Women's Imaging Center holds a quarterly "Girls Night Out," offering convenient evening appointment times for women for who may not be able to receive annual mammograms during regular working hours. Medicare, Medicaid, cash and most forms of insurance are accepted for mammogram examinations. "Girls Night Out" participants are also treated to free massages, hand treatments, hors d'oeuvres and a little girl-time. Appointments are required. Have your physician's office call 229-353-7899 to schedule a "Girls Night Out" mammogram on one of the available dates below in 2010 (held 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
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