Houston, TX [February 24, 2021] The Rose’s newest mobile mammography coach, Hope, will join “big sisters” Rosie and Mysty this month as she serves urban and rural communities across southeast Texas. The addition of a third mobile coach to The Rose’s fleet is especially critical during the pandemic, as skyrocketing unemployment has resulted in often devastating insurance coverage loss. Texas has the highest uninsured rate in the nation, and Houston tops the list of Texas cities with a 25% uninsured rate.
The Rose, founded in 1986 by Dorothy Gibbons and surgeon Dr. Dixie Melillo, provides breast health care to women, regardless of their ability to pay. They provide advocacy and access to care by offering mammograms, ultrasounds, biopsies, on-site physicians and advanced digital technology. The Rose brings its mobile coaches to employers, clinics, schools, Federally Qualified Health Centers, other nonprofits and more locations. Since the first two coaches launched in late 2017, women from over 41 counties have benefited by having access to mammography screenings and early breast cancer detection.
Gibbons, The Rose CEO and co-founder, mentioned that in a recent patient survey, 65 percent revealed that they wouldn’t have had an annual mammogram if The Rose Mobile Program had not come to their area. “We’re thrilled to send Hope out. One third of Texas counties lack mammography services, and because early breast cancer detection is critical to survival, it’s increasingly important to bring life-saving services to people who couldn’t otherwise access them,” says Gibbons.
During the pandemic, Mysty and Rosie have steadfastly served over 150 patients per month, just half what they could offer without social distancing restrictions. Mobile coaches and staff continue to follow strict COVID guidelines, and the addition of Hope will help them screen more women and save more lives. Like her sisters, Hope will bring 3D mammography screenings to over 2,500 women in Southeast Texas, nearly half of whom are uninsured and who couldn’t otherwise afford a mammogram. There are already 85 clients on Hope’s mobile mammography schedule, and her addition to the family will enable The Rose to offer 100 more mobile mammography days this year. Hope’s first visit, serendipitously, was to the main location of the Hope Clinic, A Community Health Center in southwest Houston.
For more information on The Rose visit www.therose.org. If you are interested in scheduling an interview, please contact Lis Harper at 713-496-2624 or email [email protected].
To schedule a media interview with any member of The Rose, please contact Ivis Batista at 978-885-7306 or email [email protected]. For more information, or to donate or volunteer, please visit www.therose.org.
About The Rose
Since 1986, The Rose has provided high quality breast healthcare to all women, regardless of their ability to pay. Its mission is to save lives through quality breast health services, advocacy and access to care for all. As a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, The Rose is led by Fellowship trained physicians and offers advanced digital technology including 3-D tomosynthesis mammography, diagnostic workups, biopsies and its nationally recognized Patient Navigation Program ensures access to treatment and a continuum of care for all women. As a major part of Southeast Texas’ Healthcare Safety Net, The Rose is a strong advocate for quality breast healthcare and access to care. The Rose provides direct medical services to 40,000 insured and uninsured patients annually. Two Houston-based comprehensive Diagnostic Centers and Mobile Mammography Coaches provide services to women throughout 43 counties in Southeast Texas.
