Madison Hospital Breast Center has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in mammography as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). The facility is located on the second floor of the Progress Bank building on Highway 72, just east of the Madison Hospital campus.

The ACR gold seal of accreditation represents the highest level of image quality and patient safety. It is awarded only to facilities meeting ACR Practice Guidelines and Technical Standards after a peer-review evaluation by board-certified physicians and medical physicists who are experts in the field.

The review assesses:
• Image quality
• Personnel qualifications
• Adequacy of facility equipment
• Quality control procedures
• Quality assurance programs

The findings are reported to the ACR Committee on Accreditation, which subsequently provides the practice with a comprehensive report they can use for continuous practice improvement.

To commemorate our one-year anniversary on Feb. 28, 2013, we’ve collected items for a time capsule to be opened in 50 years. Thank you for helping to make our 1st year memorable!

Madison Hospital welcomed its first twins, Robyn and Chloe Young on February 5. Congratulations to parents Jennifer and Daniel. Weighing 5 lbs., 12 oz.; and 5 lbs. even, these almost 37-week twin girls are absolutely beautiful. Read more about their story in The Madison Record.

We join the family of Gerald "Gerry" Johnson in celebrating a life well lived. Gerry was a dedicated member of the Madison Hospital Board, and we sincerely appreciate his service.

View obituary.

Join us for the Medi Gras Bash on Saturday, February 9, 2013, and help raise funds for the new Madison Hospital Breast Center. This festive Mardi Gras-themed party will feature a casual buffet with New Orleans-style cuisine, a specialty drink and cash bar, live music provided by The Purple Ravens, and a fabulous silent auction!

This event will be held at the Jackson Center at HudsonAlpha beginning at 6:00 p.m. Tickets are $75 per person. They can be purchased below or by calling the Foundation office at (256) 265-8077.

To view sponsorship opportunities, please click here.

For more information, please call (256) 265-8077, e-mail susan.ready@hhsys.org or visit our website.

Scale Back Alabama is a free, statewide weight loss program. Each team of four is required to weigh in at an official Scale Back weigh-in site. Again this year, the three Wellness Center locations -- in Huntsville at the Medical Mall and in Jones Valley, and in Madison on the Madison Hospital campus -- will serve as weigh in sites.

Weigh-in dates and times:
Sat., Jan 19 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sun., Jan 20 - 2 to 4 p.m.
Mon., Jan 21 through Fri., Jan. 25 - 5 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Weigh-out week is scheduled for April 6 - 12. Participants whose team members lose 10 pounds each over the 10-week program become eligible for a statewide drawing for up to $1,000 per team member. For more information about Scale Back Alabama, visit scalebackalabama.com.

Paul Finley, mayor of Madison from 2008 – 2012, has been appointed to the Madison Hospital Board. He joins 11 other community leaders – all volunteers – to provide valuable feedback and assistance as Madison Hospital continues to grow.

Paul and his wife Dr. Julie Finley, assistant principal at Bob Jones High School, have three sons. The Finley family has called Madison home since 1988.

Women now have the option of digital mammography in Madison. "Screening mammograms are vitally important for early detection of breast cancer," said Madison Hospital President Mary Lynne Wright. "The opening of the Madison Hospital Breast Center provides another convenient option for women when scheduling their mammograms."

The new facility is located in the Progress Bank building at 8337 Hwy. 72 W., just east of the Madison Hospital campus. Call now to schedule at (256) 265-9999. Proceeds from the 2012 Liz Hurley Ribbon Run helped purchase technology for the Madison Hospital Breast Center.

Kyle Buchanan has been named chief executive officer of Lawrence Medical Center in Moulton.

Buchanan is currently the vice president of operations at
Helen Keller Hospital in Sheffield. He will take on the new role on Dec. 1.

Buchanan will take over for interim CEO and former Helen Keller CEO Bill Anderson, who has led the hospital since August.

Lawrence Medical Center, like Keller Hospital, is part of the Huntsville Hospital system. The board of directors of Lawrence Medical Center finalized a management agreement with Huntsville Hospital in September.

This story was originally published by the Decatur Daily.

We're excited to welcome General Surgeon Matthew Hunt, MD. His new practice, Surgical Associates of Madison, is located on the 4th floor of Madison Hospital. Learn more about surgical services available at Madison Hospital by visiting madisonalhospital.org/services/.