SJHS Paqui and Brian Kelly Comprehensive Breast Center Sets New Standards of Breast Health

Mishawaka, Ind. (October 5, 2016) — Maintaining breast health just got a little easier for the women of Michiana with the opening of the new Saint Joseph Health System Paqui and Brian Kelly Comprehensive Breast Center in Mishawaka, Indiana. It was supported in part by a generous gift from the Kelly Cares Foundation, founded by two-time breast cancer survivor, Paqui Kelly, and her husband, Brian.

The new 10,500-sq. foot space was created with a patient's mind, body and spirit at its center. It offers patients access to prevention and screenings, diagnostic care, risk assessment, navigation services, cancer treatment, surgery, reconstruction and survivorship care.

“From its very initial stages, we wanted to set the standard for breast health in our communities,” said Chris Karam, president, Saint Joseph Health System Mishawaka Medical Center. “It was important to us to create a space that not only offered women the best technologies, but also one that catered to the stress and high anxiety this type of testing can bring.”

Setting the standard for breast health means giving patients access to leading health care and peace of mind. Three purposeful and unique features of the Paqui and Brian Kelly CBC help patients achieve this goal:

 RapidResults™ process: The time between testing and results can add undue stress to patients. With a radiologist's recommendation, patients with suspicious findings from a mammography are able to get a second diagnostic test, or biopsy, the same day if they choose.

 Molecular Breast Imaging (MBI) – Pinpointing abnormal cells in dense breasts can be difficult using traditional mammography. Studies have shown that mammograms fail to detect cancers in one-third to one-half of women with dense breast tissue. MBI is more likely to identify these cells. Only a handful of health systems in the country offer this type of technology.

 3-D mammography with MammoPlus® risk assessment: Included with every 3-D mammogram, MammoPlus offers a risk assessment to assist in determining a patient's chances of developing breast cancer in the future. This is at no additional cost to a patient, and is provided with every exam.

Other technologies and services at the Paqui and Brian Kelly CBC include:

RiskPlus™ program: As a follow-up program to the MammoPlus risk assessment, our board-certified genetic counselor will help determine if a woman carries an inherited cancer-causing mutation. Once identified, staff will help develop a plan that offers the greatest level of cancer prevention, early cancer detection and better treatment outcomes.

NavigationPlus™ services: This formalized program pairs an individual Nurse Navigator with each patient. Staff serves as a personal link to physicians and helps them walk through upcoming appointments, treatments, available resources and community support.

Outside the technology, patients are treated to a serene environment that encourages relaxation and reduced anxiety. Details from soft lighting in the lobby to the addition of a private HydroMassage® bed add to the comfort of patients before or after testing.

The center will host a public open house:

WHAT: Public open house event

WHEN: Tuesday, Oct. 18, 3 - 5 p.m.

WHERE: 611 E. Douglas Rd., Ste. 123, Mishawaka, IN 46545

Most Reverend Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades will offer a blessing to the space in a private ceremony prior to the open house.

About Saint Joseph Health System

Saint Joseph Health System (SJHS) is a not-for- profit healthcare system located in North Central Indiana that offers acute-based hospital care and post-acute services including: community wellness, physical rehabilitation, home care, physician clinics, outpatient services, independent and assisted senior living, memory care and affordable senior apartments. SJHS includes: Mishawaka Medical Center; Plymouth Medical Center; Rehabilitation Institute; Outpatient services of the Elm Road Medical Campus; Health Insurance Services; Saint Joseph Physician Network; VNA Home Care; the Senior Living Communities at St. Paul's, Holy Cross and Trinity Tower; and Saint Joseph PACE. SJHS serves more than 200,000 members of the Michiana community annually. SJHS is a Regional Health Ministry of Trinity Health in Livonia, Michigan.

About The Kelly Cares Foundation

The Kelly Cares Foundation was established in 2008 by the Brian and Paqui Kelly family to support organizations, initiatives and programs that closely align with the goals and values of the Kelly family. A strong emphasis has been made on three main pillars: Health, Education and Community. To accomplish its mission, Kelly Cares emphasizes health, by promoting breast cancer awareness, supporting those in need, funding valuable research, and encouraging prevention; education, by funding educational research and supporting institutional advancement at all levels and capacities; and community, by supporting projects and initiatives that encourage the engagement of individuals in their local communities. To learn more about the Kelly Cares Foundation and its initiatives, visit www.kellycaresfoundation.org.