By Lori Acciavatti
This article is Part I of a two-part Executive Exclusive.
Despite the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, the Bonnie’s Bus Mobile Mammography Program has wrapped up its 12th season on the road. The bus visited 35 counties in West Virginia, providing mammograms to more than 1,500 patients during 120 screening days.
“We are very proud that we are still able to serve our patients in a safe, comfortable environment,” says Jenny Ostien, director of mobile screening at the WVU Cancer Institute. “This is important so patients can continue their annual health screening even in uncertain times.”
Bonnie’s Bus provides mammograms to individuals who fall within screening guidelines in a comfortable, convenient environment. Screening is provided for women, men, transgender and gender-diverse people with private insurance, Medicaid, Medicare or those who qualify for the West Virginia Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Program. The bus has visited 54 of 55 West Virginia counties since 2009, screening more than 23,000 patients.
Procedures were updated to ensure patient and staff safety, including masks, gloves and eye protection for staff; patients waiting in the car until their appointment time; extended appointment times to allow for additional sanitation between patients; and allowing only one patient on the bus at a time.
“We had to cancel or reschedule several visits for the safety of our patients and staff,” says Ostien. “We were grateful to be able to reach the number of communities we did this year, despite the uncertainty of the pandemic.”
Bonnie’s Bus will be on winter hiatus from mid-December to mid-March. For more information about the program, visit wvucancer.org/bonnies-bus.
About the Author
Lori Acciavatti is a communications specialist with WVU Cancer Institute.
