mammograms are back in kenai

Central Peninsula Hospital reopened mammogram screening at its Central Peninsula Kenai Health Center in Kenai, cutting the ribbon on the expanded services on July 1. The move ends a stretch of about eight years without on-site mammography, during which women across the Kenai Peninsula had to travel out of town for the screening.

Along with mammograms, the center switched laboratory draw services back on after they had been unavailable since last fall, and added bone density, or DEXA, scans for the first time. For families across Kenai and the wider Kenai Peninsula, the changes mean far less driving for routine care.

The hospital's chief said early detection saves lives, and that more women can now get that care close to home.

Screening mammograms are available without a provider order, though patients need a physician on file to receive their results. DEXA scans require a provider order. The center accepts the same insurance plans as the hospital, including Medicare and Medicaid.

The restored services came together through local donations and a record-setting community fundraiser.