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On Monday, Sept. 29, UVA Health relaunched its mobile mammography coach, now equipped with the latest advancement in 3D imaging technology. The upgraded vehicle expands access to lifesaving breast cancer screenings across Prince William County and surrounding communities in Northern Virginia, making it easier for people to stay on track with their preventive care.

The coach features 3D mammography technology, which provides clearer scans, earlier detection, and improved accuracy — especially for those with dense breast tissue. The upgrade was made possible in part by a $500,000 appropriation from the Virginia General Assembly.

“Early detection saves lives, and this technology allows us to see cancers that might have gone undetected with older systems,” says Susan Schreiner, Director of Operations Oncology and Ambulatory Radiology at UVA Health’s community medical centers and clinics in Northern Virginia and Culpeper.

The mobile mammography coach will help reach patients with limited access to care, and the upgraded coach will travel to neighborhoods, community centers, and local clinics throughout Northern Virginia. 

Functioning like a traveling clinic, each stop is staffed with a mammography technologist and registrar who connect patients to UVA Health’s care system. Screenings primarily are offered to people ages 35–55, and results are sent to each patient’s primary care provider for follow-up. The program accepts commercial insurance but also partners with community clinics to serve uninsured and low-income patients. With its return — UVA Health reaffirms its commitment to expanding access, enabling earlier detection, and strengthening the fight against breast cancer in Prince William County.

“These upgrades allow us to deliver the very best preventive care directly to the community,” says Erik Shannon, Chief Executive Officer of UVA Health community medical centers and clinics in Northern Virginia and Culpeper. “This coach makes it easier for people facing barriers to get the screenings they need. We are grateful to our delegates, board members, leadership team, and staff for helping bring this resource back on the road. These are the moments that focus on our mission of transforming health and inspiring hope for all Virginians and beyond.” 

Along with its imaging upgrades, the coach received practical enhancements — including new tires, airbags, and a refreshed vehicle wrap — thanks to support from the UVA Community Health Foundation. The ribbon cutting featured remarks from UVA Health leaders, recognition of state delegates and partners who made the upgrades possible, and tours of the newly enhanced coach. It also highlighted the importance of preventive care, community partnerships that made the upgrades possible, and UVA Health’s ongoing commitment to increasing access to care.

This relaunch adds to UVA Health’s ongoing mobile mammography offerings across Central and Northern Virginia. For more information, visit UVA Health Mobile Mammography.