News Releases

Dedicated Interpretation of Mammograms Provided

Hospital Appoints Breast Care Center Mammographer

The Woodlands, Texas, June 4, 2004 -- When it comes to early identification and diagnosis of the estimated 200,000 new cases of breast cancer this year, physician expertise is essential. On April 19, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital appointed Dan C. Cowman, M.D., mammographer for The Breast Care Center. Dr. Cowman is solely responsible for the interpretation of screening and diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasounds, breast biopsies, as well as state-of-the-art breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) images.

Having a dedicated radiologist on-site provides patients with the highest level of breast image interpretation in the shortest amount of time. According to Dr. Cowman, “When a woman suspects she has breast cancer, waiting for a diagnosis can be extremely difficult, so our goal is to shorten that wait as much as possible. We expeditiously determine the diagnosis and discuss it with the patient on the same day or, if absolutely necessary, the following day.”

Dr. Cowman now works in conjunction with breast health expert and Breast Care Center Manager Ellen Williams. According to Williams, “Breast cancer is a threat that we want to find at its earliest, most curable state, so we focus on the continuum of breast care, complete with annual visits.”

In addition to annual screening mammograms, biopsy and diagnosis, the Breast Care Center patient also receives education, support and the benefit of consultation with experts.

Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital’s Breast Care Center is certified by the Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA). The center is also a member of the National Consortium of Breast Centers, Incorporated, a not-for-profit membership organization that allows breast care professionals to network and promote excellence within breast care programs.

Biographic Information:

Dan C. Cowman, M.D. a 1981 graduate of Stanford University School of Medicine, completed his diagnostic radiology residency at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston with breast imaging training at M.D. Anderson Hospital. Dr. Cowman’s practice, established 15 years ago, is located within Conroe-Tomball Radiologists, P. A. at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Hospital.

Ellen Williams graduated from the Texas Woman's University with a master’s degree in nursing. She has 13 years of experience developing and managing comprehensive breast centers. Her expertise also makes her a much sought-after public speaker for national meetings on "Essential Components of a Comprehensive Breast Center."

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