Terry Lynn Bucknall – Director of Women’s Imaging Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center – Comfort • Convenience • Competency • Compassion

Rooted in the four C’s of patient care—comfort convenience, competency and compassion—Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital’s Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center focuses on a personalized experience to accommodate all who venture through its doors. Fifteen years ago, Tom Veloz generously gifted funds to the hospital to provide a new specialty complex after his wife Sheila R. Veloz passed away from breast cancer. Director of Women’s Imaging Terry Lynn Bucknall, a 36-year employee at the hospital, along with her close-knit team of clerical staff, technologists, and radiologists, has worked tirelessly to continually transform this early detection service into one of innovation and accuracy. “We are the only breast center in SCV,” she said, “We might be a small center, but we emphasize quality over quantity.”
Getting her start in radiology in 1974, Terry was honored to have her talent recognized when she was asked to lead the imaging center in 2002. She serves on boards of directors for multiple professional organizations and shares her expertise at national conferences.  She feels blessed to work every day with her TEAM of professionals and credits all of them for the success of the Sheila R. Veloz Breast Center.
Accredited by the American College of Radiology as a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence, it surpasses the criteria for breast cancer diagnosis with optimum screening technology and an added home feel that invites patients to practice healthy self-care. Offering advanced Genius 3D digital mammography, the skilled radiologists can better detect early stages of cancer. This technology allows the radiologist to “scroll through images” of the layers of breast tissue.
Continually improving, the center recently implemented an automated screening breast ultrasound system.  This procedure is recommended for patients who have dense breast tissue.  Current studies prove that women with dense breasts have an increased risk for developing breast cancer. Utilizing this device, there is a potential to double the cancer detection rate.
Terry said, “There’s more to breast health screening than mammography and ultrasound.” Other screening programs at the center include a risk assessment for all patients to determine their lifetime cancer risk. Knowing one’s family and genetic cancer history aids in determining the appropriate management of care for those with a higher risk.  This may include more frequent and additional screenings such as an annual MRI, colonoscopy, possible surgery or chemo-prevention.  Genetic testing is offered to those who meet criteria.  The invaluable findings may also encourage family members to be tested.
The center recognizes the recommendation of the American College of Radiology by advocating annual routine mammograms and other appropriate screenings. Breast imaging is a highly regulated medical practice. Part of personalized care is to make sure every patient is not lost to follow-up and they have appropriate care for their individual situation. Communication and education is key.
Overall, the goal of this local center is to improve accessibility and patient compliance by offering subsidized care and referrals for low/no-cost programs. Terry said, “Subsidized care is made possible by the hospital and generous philanthropy of our community, especially during our October Breast Cancer Awareness activities. These funds allow us to care for patients who would otherwise not have life-saving procedures and eliminate the added stress of financial concerns and the unknown status of their condition”
Most importantly, Terry wants to make sure that women, and men, who find something that “just isn’t right” to have it checked out. Not all breast lumps and conditions are cancerous, “however we never want to take a chance and let it go without a work-up. If you see or feel something, make sure to see your medical provider for an examination. If you do not have a provider, the Breast Center will help you find one,” Terry said.

photo by Lindsay Schlick

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