LARNED — Since the imaging staff realized they couldn’t schedule a traditional grand opening event because of the pandemic, they decided to extend an invitation to the community to virtually celebrate the new 3D mammography service.

“We wanted to share our excitement about this new technology at our hospital,” said Shelly Stanton, director of imaging at The University of Kansas Health System Pawnee Valley Campus. “Also, we wanted to again emphasize the importance of preventive healthcare through annual screenings. Our new 3D mammogram is the best testing available.”

The recent grand-opening activities were posted on Facebook where they received more than a thousand hits.

“This response and our good turnouts for virtual coffees with the Larned Area Chamber of Commerce and Great Bend Chamber of Commerce strongly indicated our community is interested in our services,” Stanton commented. “We are grateful for any opportunity to share information about 3D mammography and our diagnostic capabilities.”

Activities during the special celebration included: displaying pink balloons at the hospital and Pawnee Valley Medical Associates; distributing pink t-shirts; giving small gifts to staff, patients and area healthcare providers; participating in a live Eagle Radio talk show; encouraging annual screenings; and sharing information about 3D mammography with the community and area providers.

Stanton noted that the Pawnee Valley Community Hospital Foundation and the community have always supported the effort to bring 3D to Pawnee Valley Campus.

“The Foundation raised the money we needed in less than a year,” Stanton said. “That illustrates the overwhelming support we get from the community. It allows us to have a wonderful hospital with state-of-the-art equipment. We couldn’t be more grateful.”