A generous donation will help MMC purchase a new mammography machine
The 3D mammogram in the mobile van, driven down once every three months from the Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis by Theresa Taylor. Matt Morey, Democrat News
An anonymous donor gave a generous amount to the Madison Medical Center towards buying a new mammography machine, which they are aiming to purchase in 2026.
The previous machine has been down since March, MMC Radiology Manager Eric Horton told Democrat News in a previous interview. It was due to a software issue, and averaged about 30 scans a month.
In the meantime, the hospital has relied on the Mobile Mammography Van, driven down once every three months from the Missouri Baptist Medical Center in St. Louis.
MMC Treasurer Connie Matthews announced at the most recent board meeting that the donor had called and was interested in helping with the mammogram machine.
MMC CEO Lisa Twidwell said that the hospital is looking into buying a refurbished 3D mammogram machine for up to $250,000, of which the donation will help greatly. The previous mammography machine gave 2D images, an earlier version of the technology, Matthews said. Horton said 3D machines give a much better image quality, which have been FDA approved since 2011.
Twidwell said they still have the staffing and technicians on hand for the machine and that they can hire more if necessary.
“Personally, I think it’s a wonderful thing,” MMC Chairperson Denny Ward said. “I would be in favor of moving forward.”
The board voted to accept the donation.
The mammography van’s outreach coordinator, Theresa Taylor said while she likes to visit, it’s only quarterly; she would prefer to see the town have its own machine. She is in Fredericktown nearly once a month, also visiting the Madison County Health Department.
“We appreciate the opportunity to help Madison Medical Center and will continue to go however long we’re needed and continue to visit the Madison County Health Department in 2026,” Taylor said in a message. The Baptist HealthCare Center bus is able to provide 20-25 mammographs in the days it visits.
Twidwell said they are gathering vendor equipment quotes, so the process can take several months before it is ordered, and then it will be inspected by the state or federal regulations.
