Vista Staff scales roof to promote Breast Cancer Awareness

Some 45 physicians, nurses, administrators and staff from Vista Health System climbed to the roof of the ER at Vista Medical Center East in Waukegan this morning to help promote National Breast Cancer Awareness month. The festive group gathered on three levels of the roof as they held up balloons, ribbons and cards with the message, “Women, get a mammogram today!” Visible behind them from the top floor of the hospital was the 25-foot pink ribbon banner hung earlier this week to commemorate the month.

“At Vista, we'll go to just about any length to promote breast cancer awareness and women's health,” said Barbara Martin, Vista's President and Chief Executive Officer. “This was a beautiful morning, and we had a highly enthusiastic group of people dressed in pink who were happy to walk out on the roof if it would help us spread this important message.”

When caught early, breast cancer is highly curable, which is why women are reminded to get an annual mammogram and do monthly self-exams. Vista offers all-digital mammography at four sites in Lake County: Vista Medical Center East, 1324 N. Sheridan, Waukegan; Vista Surgery Center, 1050 Red Oak Lane, Lindenhurst; Vista Imaging Center, 95 North Greenleaf, Gurnee; and Vista Imaging Center, 565 Lakeview, Suite 100, Vernon Hills. Same-day screenings area available at all four sites with results provided the same day.

Vista's Breast Cancer Team is a multi-disciplinary group of board-certified physicians and highly skilled staff. Vista also provides patients with a dedicated breast health navigator who is a registered nurse with extensive experience who helps breast patients through every step of their treatment, rehabilitation and survivorship.

“The month of October is about women taking time out for themselves to get screened and take charge of their health,” said Nancy Herchenbach, Vista's Director of Oncology Services. “Women need to know that they can stop in to get a mammogram today.”