County Executive Blakeman, Leadership from Nassau County’s Only Public Safety-Net Hospital Unveil New State-of-the-Art “Mammovan”
New Mobile Breast Imaging Van Will Provide Preventative Cancer Screenings to Thousands of Nassau County Residents Each Year
(EAST MEADOW, NY) – Life-saving early detection breast cancer diagnostic services will soon be coming for thousands of women across Nassau County.
That’s thanks to a new state-of-the-art mobile breast screening van, the “MammoVan,” which was unveiled today by Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, leadership from Nassau Health Care Corporation (NHCC) and medical professionals from Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC).
“Nassau University Medical Center continues to lead the way in protecting the health of our residents and the entire region. We’re incredibly proud of the life-saving work being done here. The fact is, one in four women aged 50 to 74 are not getting screened, even though it’s available, it’s free, and it can save lives. Today, we’re shining a spotlight on the importance of early detection and reminding everyone that with the MammoVan, screening is accessible and within reach for all,” said Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman.
Joining County Executive Blakeman at the unveiling the new Mammovan was NHCC President, CEO and Chief Legal Officer Megan Ryan, as well as members of NUMC’s dedicated hospital staff.
“This MammoVan is more than a vehicle, it’s a lifeline,” said Megan C. Ryan, President, CEO and Chief Legal Officer for NHCC. “NUMC is proud to be expanding our reach and bring critical breast cancer screening services directly into local communities. We know early detection saves lives. With this new unit, we can detect more cases earlier, treat more women faster, and ultimately save more lives.”
“This year alone, we’ve treated over 13,000 women and are on track to exceed 20,000 by year’s end. NUMC performs more than 6,500 mammograms annually both on-site and through our mobile services and this new resource ensures we are using the latest technology to achieve the best results,” Ryan added.
Funded through philanthropic donations and proceeds from NUMC’s 2024 Pink Gala, the $1 million vehicle will operate five to six days per week and increase NUMC’s breast cancer screening capacity by 40 percent. The new MammoVan replaces a 22-year-old unit and features the latest in medical imaging technology. It is scheduled to begin service in May 2025.
The new MammoVan underscores NUMC’s continued commitment to reducing healthcare disparities and promoting early detection of critical health conditions. Under the current leadership, NUMC has prioritized an expansion of services including longer clinic hours and new clinics including pediatric, women’s health, colorectal screening, reflux, and general medicine. The hospital has also expanded its primary care services, ensuring it remains a vital resource for high-quality, accessible care.
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