CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Yesterday, Novant Health celebrated the opening of its brand-new breast health center in Center City Charlotte with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Novant Health initially broke ground in 2022 on the $15 million, 13,500 square-foot Novant Health Agnes Binder Weisiger Breast Health Center. That’s when members of the Novant Health Foundation, led by longtime supporter and breast cancer survivor Agnes Weisiger, set out with an innovative plan to enhance the detection of breast cancer in the community.
The ambitious proposal involved moving the existing breast health center, which was previously located inside of Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center, to a larger and more convenient standalone location at 315 Lillington Ave. in Charlotte. The Novant Health Agnes Binder Weisiger Breast Health Center will improve experiential factors with its modern design and expanded parking area, and have an immediate impact on patient care, allowing clinicians to complete 96 more mammograms each day.
“Each year, approximately 42,000 women and 500 men die from breast cancer in the United States,” Dr. Saad Ehtisham, president of Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center and the greater Charlotte market. “These numbers are especially concerning because it’s well documented that early detection is a key factor when it comes to treatment and favorable long-term outcomes. The Novant Health Agnes Binder Weisiger Breast Health Center not only will make scheduling a screening mammogram more convenient for patients in this community, but it is also equipped with the latest in advanced technology and staff to provide truly comprehensive and coordinated care experience.”
Everyone at the breast health center shares a common goal: Helping patients navigate their mammogram appointment. This includes both routine annual screenings and diagnostic or follow-up imaging and/or biopsies. Mammograms are recommended for women starting at 40, but doctors across the country have noticed a significant decline in screenings since the pandemic.
“This new breast health center is a beautiful illustration of what can happen when good ideas and even better people come together to make a difference in our community,” said Ann Caulkins, senior vice president of Novant Health and president of Novant Health Foundation. “Breast cancer is far too common. An average of 1 in 8 women will face it, and men are not immune. But I’m encouraged by the fact that we have once again joined together as a community of survivors, families, donors and health care professionals to relentlessly pursue life, hope and healing. Thanks to their vision and generosity, I know this place will serve as a refuge for our patients to have their concerns heard and their mammograms completed with dignity and grace.”
How it started
The Weisiger family’s story at Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center began with the birth of Agnes Binder Weisiger in 1941. Agnes’ first job began at Presbyterian Medical Center as a candy striper, and she would go on to serve as a family nurse practitioner for nearly 30 years. After surviving her own battle with breast cancer in 2011 with treatment at Presbyterian Medical Center, the family provided the lead gift toward the development of the Novant Health Agnes B. and Edward I. Weisiger Cancer Institute, an outpatient facility that also houses the Novant Health Claudia W. and John M. Belk Heart & Vascular Institute. The new Novant Health Agnes Binder Weisiger Breast Health Center is now conveniently located nearby.
The Novant Health Foundation contributed $5 million toward the project. To learn more about how you can support the growth of health care services in the community, call 704-384-5547 or visit SupportNovantHealth.org.
To schedule a mammogram, call 704-384-7226 or visit NovantHealth.org/Mammography. Patients with a family history should discuss with their doctor if they should be screened sooner.
To see pictures and video of the ribbon-cutting ceremony, click here.
Subscribe