Second machine, accreditation expand mammography access for Veterans at VA Augusta

In late 2022, VA Augusta added a second, state-of-the-art screening system to its mammography clinic. This month, the mammography program learned it had been awarded full accreditation by

the American College of Radiology. 

“ACR accreditation is recognized throughout the medical community as the gold standard in medical imaging,” said Kutistia Ragland, Certified Breast Imaging Navigator and VA Augusta

Mammography Team Lead. To be accredited, she added, the governing body checks the safety of the machines by testing appropriate radiation levels, image quality, and consistency for accurate

diagnostics.

The recent addition of a second screening system and accreditation translate to greater access for veteran patients, Ragland said, especially women Veterans, who make up VA Augusta’s

fastest-growing patient population.

“We emphasize early detection, early detection, early detection,” Ragland said. “The expansion and accreditation of our program empowers us to offer that to our patients. Wait times are now

shorter with most Veterans being screened in two to five days.”

The VA Augusta mammography suite is located at the Uptown VA campus at 1 Freedom Way in Augusta. Veterans seeking a screening should contact their VA Augusta provider or call the main line

at 706-733-0188.