Every October, communities around the country rally behind fundraising events and education campaigns to generate awareness around breast cancer. Early stages of breast cancer often have no symptoms, so with over 281,550 cases predicted for 2021, recommended regular screenings have the potential to save thousands of lives.

International Women’s Day is celebrated annually on March 8, serving as an opportunity to advocate for gender equality, celebrate the accomplishments of women around the world and highlight women’s rights, including women’s health.

In commemoration of this day, we’re spotlighting women physicians from Dignity Health Medical Groups who have contributed greatly to their respective practices and passing along their professional insight within their specialities in support of overall women’s health.

Introducing Dignity Health Advanced Imaging (DHAI), the new branding of Mercy Imaging Centers. Along with the name change, DHAI announces a newly enhanced partnership agreement with Hill Physicians Medical Group (HPMG). As of January 1, 2021, DHAI is now the primary, preferred imaging provider for HPMG patients with Western Health Advantage (WHA) insurance. As such, all HPMG patients with Western Health Advantage will only be referred to DHAI or independent imaging locations.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase education and awareness around a disease that affects women of all ages and ethnicities. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the U.S., second only to skin cancer. Close to 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime. 

Joelle Jakobsen, MD, FACS, a general surgeon and breast cancer specialist with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group in Folsom, and Carmichael Calif. and Daniel Herron, MD, director of Women’s Imaging at Dignity Health Advanced Imaging, shared helpful information on breast cancer and mammograms.

Dignity Health Medical Foundation (DHMF), which operates 14 medical groups and imaging centers and more than 124 clinic locations across California, has announced that Mark Behl, MHA, MBA, has joined the organization as CEO.