Parkland Health & Hospital System announced in a release that the Hillcrest Foundation has committed $1 million to help create a new comprehensive breast center, joining generous donors throughout the community who have raised $36 million for the project.
“The Trustees of the Hillcrest Foundation believe strongly in the direct access and opportunity for quality healthcare to all persons in our community,” said Debra Phares, Philanthropic Client Director for U.S. Trust/Bank of America Private Wealth Management, on behalf of the Trustees of The Hillcrest Foundation, in the release. “As we follow the intent of Mrs. Caruth Sr., this grant to Parkland directly aligns with the mission of the Foundation to promote and support healthcare to the people of Texas. On behalf of the Trustees, we are grateful for the work of Parkland and are honored to be a small part in bringing resources together to serve all.”
A new comprehensive breast center will allow Parkland to bring together breast health services under one roof, making screenings, treatment and follow-up care more convenient for patients. The new center will also expand services, providing a pathway to achieving national recognition. Through the new comprehensive breast center Parkland will:
- increase breast health equity for the underserved,
- increase capacity to care for more patients,
- co-locate services to improve access to care,
- improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, and
- provide new programs for patients and families.
“The Hillcrest Foundation is a champion for advancing the health and well-bring for those in need in every corner of our community,” said David E. Krause, Parkland Foundation President and CEO. “We are grateful for their most recent gift to support the creation of a new breast center that will improve access to life-saving screenings and treatment for Parkland’s patients with nowhere else to turn for care.”
Each year, Parkland provides breast health services for 30,000 and diagnoses and treats 400 patients with breast cancer, volumes that greatly exceed other hospitals. From screening and diagnosis to surgery and recovery, breast health patients at Parkland must currently access services at up to 10 separate locations. For patients, this can be difficult and frustrating, and results in late appointment starts, missed appointments and cancelled procedures. Time from screening to diagnosis to treatment determines survival for cancer patients.
*Photo courtesy of Parkland Health & Hospital System
