(Photo by Shelley Hanson) Avery Cochran, 8, holds the artwork she created of the new 3-D Mammography System online at WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital. With her are radiology department manager Pam Bowers and technicians Halley Rohde and Tamatha Mellott. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held Oct. 2.

WVU Medicine Wetzel County Hospital celebrated the purchase of a new 3-D Mammography System during a ribbon cutting ceremony held Oct. 2.

The new 3-D mammography machine is anticipated to provide even better images of the interior of women’s breasts in an effort to screen for potential areas of cancer. The mammography machine, which cost $310,000, was purchased in concert with a new ultrasound for $98,000.

A fundraising effort, which continues via the fund at the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley, was led by retired radiology employee Fawn Price.

Pam Bowers, manager of the radiology department, said it was a special day for the hospital and the residents of the community.

“It’s kind of a full-circle moment for me. Fawn hired me here 33 years ago and now I’m in the role that she held at that time,” Bowers said. “So to work with Fawn again to get this technology for our community is a wonderful thing.”

Jessica Huffman, assistant vice president of clinical services, said she is a recent breast cancer survivor, making the day even more significant for her.

“A screening mammogram is one of the best ways to detect early cancer,” she said. “The earlier we detect the cancer, the easier it is to treat and the higher likelihood we have for providing longer, healthier lives for our patients.”

Huffman said the equipment the hospital had previously did meet the standard of care, but the hospital wanted the best equipment possible.

“The 3-D mammogram can pick up things much quicker and easier and has less false positives. So it’s a lot less anxiety for patients who come in for testing as well,” she said.

Huffman thanked Price, the hospital’s board of directors and the community for stepping up to help purchase the machinery.

Price said the fundraising continues to help purchase additional new equipment for the radiology department. People can make donations to the “WCH Radiology Equipment Fund” at the Community Foundation for the Ohio Valley.

Following the ceremony, Price said she and others in the community wanted to have a 3-D mammography machine in Wetzel County so they would not have to travel out of the area for screenings. She noted she was slated to be the first patient to use the machine that day.

Paul “Butch” Barcus, chairman of the Wetzel County Hospital Board of Directors, thanked the board, Price and everyone involved in the effort.

Tony Martinelli, president and CEO of WVU Medicine Reynolds Memorial and Wetzel County hospitals, also thanked everyone for their work.

Artwork of the new machinery and employees created by 8-year-old Avery Cochran will be displayed at the radiology department. Her drawing stated, “Hand in hand, helping each other.”