24 Jun Yellowhawk Launches Mammography Screening Services to Strengthen Community Health and Wellness
MISSION – Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center (Yellowhawk) is proud to announce the expansion of our health services with the addition of screening mammography services. We are dedicated to continuing our commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community through accessible, culturally respectful care.
Our team is excited to begin seeing patients and plan to open the schedule in mid to late June. Screening services will be available by appointment only and are designed exclusively for routine screenings — diagnostic imaging is not currently offered. We hope this new service will help empower our women in taking care of their health by adding vital breast cancer screenings close to home. Mammograms will be performed using the Hologic 3D mammography system, known for its accuracy, comfort, and early detection capabilities. All imaging will be read by our trusted partners at Inland Imaging, ensuring professional reporting and timely results.
“It’s a privilege to offer this essential service right here in our community,” said Lori Sasser, Mammographer. “Women deserve access to breast care that feels safe, gentle, and respectful of who they are.”
Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer among Native American women. While incidence rates may be slightly lower than the national average, studies have shown Native women are more likely to be diagnosed at a later stage, when the cancer is more difficult to treat and has lower 5-year survival rates, according to the CDC and Indian Health Service. Although breast cancer is much less common in men, men can also develop breast cancer. Barriers such as distance from screening centers, lack of transportation, underinsurance, and cultural discomfort with mainstream medical systems contribute to these disparities. Early detection through regular mammography can improve survival rates from breast cancer by up to 40%, according to the American Cancer Society.
By offering this service in a space where Native women already receive trusted care, we are removing those barriers and promoting prevention, early detection, and wellness in a way that honors our community’s values. “Together, we strengthen the health of our community,” said Shana Alexander, Medical Administrator. “We are committed to supporting the health of our patients, and that includes creating access to advanced technology. Mammography is another way we care for the women of our community now while setting the standards for progressive care for future generations.”
This new service has been made possible thanks to the 2024 building expansion at the clinic, designed with the intention of growing access to critical health services. “We have worked with determination to bring this service in-house,” said Michelle Sitz, Laboratory/Imaging Manager. “With the expansion of our facility, we now have the space and technology to offer advanced breast screenings right here in the clinic people already trust.”
We encourage women ages 40 and over, or those with family history or personal risk factors, to speak with their Yellowhawk provider about screening recommendations. Screening mammograms are available to established patients of Yellowhawk. To schedule call our medical reception at 541.240.8499 and request a screening mammogram appointment. Your health history will be reviewed, and the team will assist with scheduling. Once our mammography service is fully up and running, we kindly ask our patients to receive their routine screenings here at Yellowhawk. While patients are welcome to seek care elsewhere, please know that the clinic will only cover the cost of screenings performed in-house. This helps us support the sustainability of services we’ve worked hard to bring home for our community. We appreciate our community’s patience as we embark on this new adventure!
To celebrate the launch of this new service and honor Breast Cancer Awareness month, a Grand Opening and Blessing Ceremony will be held in October 2025. More details will be shared as the event approaches.
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Yellowhawk Tribal Health Center is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. It provides primary healthcare and additional services to more than 3,000 American Indian/Alaska Native patients.
Yellowhawk Vision: Our Tribal community achieves optimal health through a culture of wellness.
Yellowhawk Mission: It is our mission to empower our Tribal community with opportunities to learn and experience healthy lifestyle.