In fact, both Emily D. Scattergood, MD, and Thomas J. Presenza, DO, are fellowship-trained physicians (Dr. Scattergood at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Dr. Presenza at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia) who have experience with both radiation- and non-radiation-based imaging techniques. They know the importance of assuring that the right test is done to find the cause of pain or to confirm a suspected problem. Also, they and the entire radiology team at Cooper know how to work with apprehensive children (and parents).

Because radiation is used more often now than in years past, the effects of radiation imaging must be balanced against the benefits of using this advanced technology. Children will be exposed to more radiation imaging procedures in their lifetimes than today’s adults. For this reason, The Alliance for Radiation Safety in Pediatric Imaging in 2007 began the image gently Campaign.

What is the image gently Campaign?

The purpose of the image gently Campaign is to alert health professionals about opportunities to limit the dose of radiation used with children whenever possible. In other words, every member of the health care team should consider what type of imaging technique should be used in the pediatric patient with as little exposure to radiation as possible. This can mean using a non-radiation imaging technique, or one type of technique over another.

The campaign includes as part of its efforts a pledge for health professionals. In it, professionals make a commitment to communicate more often and more directly with co-workers and patients’ families about efforts to minimize children’s exposure to radiation. More than 6,500 professionals have taken the pledge, including the entire Pediatric Radiology team at Cooper.

A wealth of additional information about radiation, its effects, and various radiological tests and procedures can be found at the image gently Web site, imagegently.org.

For more information about services available through Cooper Pediatric Radiology, or to schedule a daytime, evening, or weekend appointment, call toll free at 1.888.499.8779.

Related Links

• Pediatric Radiology
• Thomas J. Presenza, DO
• Emily D. Scattergood, MD

The Breast Imaging Center of Excellence designation is awarded to breast imaging centers that achieve excellence by seeking and earning accreditation in all of the ACR’s breast-imaging accreditation programs and modules, in addition to the mandatory Mammography Accreditation Program.

For patients, the designation provides a quick way to identify the best mammography and breast imaging centers available. At Cooper, the designation means that patients not only have access to the highest quality of diagnostic care but also to the multi-disciplinary clinical approach offered by a major academic-medical center.

“We are proud to receive this important designation from the ACR, which recognizes our broad spectrum of breast cancer early detection and treatment services,” said Lydia Liao, M.D., Ph.D., M.P.H., Director of Women’s Imaging in the Department of Radiology at Cooper. “Being part of the breast-care program at Cooper Cancer Institute, our services achieved the highest standard for providing screening exams, with full-field digital mammography, and diagnostic imaging modalities that include high resolution breast ultrasound, breast MRI  and PET-CT, and state-of-the-art breast interventional procedures for problem solving, cancer staging and treatment. Our service is also an important part of a unique multidisciplinary treatment team. The Cooper Cancer Institute is the only center providing comprehensive, multidisciplinary care for breast cancer patients in South Jersey,” Dr. Liao said.

A Center of Excellence designation by the ACR signifies that the breast imaging program at Cooper not only has met mandatory accreditation requirements but also has voluntarily participated in a rigorous review process to ensure it has met or exceeded nationally accepted patient-care standards. In addition to ACR accreditation in breast imaging modalities, the designation assures patients that personnel are well qualified through education and certification to perform and interpret medical images and administer radiation therapy treatments. It also certifies that equipment is appropriate for the test or treatment being delivered and that the facility meets or exceeds quality-assurance and safety guidelines.

This national recognition has been given to a select few centers that have demonstrated excellence in breast imaging by successfully achieving accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, breast ultrasound and ultrasound-guided breast biopsy. Cooper is the only out-patient, hospital-based accredited imaging center in South Jersey to earn this distinction. Nationally, this Center of Excellence status has been granted to only 177 – or roughly two percent – of the more than 8,800 certified breast imaging centers in the United States.

“Being named a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the ACR assures patients that Cooper University Radiology is a premier provider of comprehensive breast imaging services offered at the highest standards of the radiology profession,” said Raymond Baraldi, M.D., Acting Chief Medical Officer and Chief of the Department of Radiology at Cooper. “We are proud of this achievement which reflects our dedication to providing patients with the best care possible.”

The ACR is a national professional organization that evaluates and accredits facilities for the achievement of high practice standards, following peer-review assessment by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field. Assessments include the qualification of facility personnel and the adequacy of facility equipment.

The Breast Imaging Center of Excellence at Cooper University Radiology offers state-of-the-art breast screening and diagnostic technologies, including digital mammography, computer-aided detection system, breast ultrasound, vacuum-assisted core breast biopsy with stereotactic or ultrasound guidance, MRI scans and MRI-guided breast biopsy.