Skip to main content

Carrying On a Legacy: Mammography At St. Vincent Health

Michelle Sweet and Jody Klugh cut the pink ribbon on St. Vincent Health's new state-of the-art mammography suite.
Michelle Sweet and Jody Klugh cut the ribbon

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when communities across the country come together to honor survivors, remember those we’ve lost, and encourage each other to take the steps that save lives—like getting a mammogram.

Here in Leadville, we are proud to share a meaningful story: on September 9, 2025, we gathered with staff, family and friends for a ribbon cutting to celebrate not only our new mammography suite, but also to honor someone who gave so much to our hospital and our town—Joyce Boone.

 

 

 

Joyce Boone smiling outside St. Vincent Health with large windows, mountains in the background, and an American flag flying.
Joyce Boone

Joyce served as our Imaging Director for many years. She was passionate about rural healthcare and the power of early detection. She worked tirelessly to ensure patients in our mountain community had access to the screenings and answers they needed close to home. Joyce passed away in 2024, and we miss her very much. But her spirit and her dedication live on at St. Vincent Health and in our hearts.

 

 

 

A New Resource for Our Community

The new suite features the Siemens MAMMOMAT Revelation with wide-angle breast tomosynthesis—a state-of-the-art 3D mammography system. For our patients, this means:

Mammography machine at St. Vincent Health, is in a decorated suite with pink flowers.
Mammography  Suite at St. Vincent Health
  •  Clearer images and fewer “call-backs” for extra testing.
  • Better detection of breast cancer than with traditional 2D mammograms, especially in women with dense breast tissue.
  • More comfortable compression of the breast.
  • The peace of mind that comes with knowing you have access to the same advanced technology used in larger cities—without leaving Lake County.

 

 

 

It’s a game-changer for our small community. We are proud to offer this resource right here in Leadville, where every screening helps ensure our friends, mothers, sisters, daughters, and neighbors have the best chance at early diagnosis and successful treatment.

Why It Matters

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. The earlier it’s found, the better the chances for effective treatment. That’s why this month—and every month—we encourage you to:

  • Schedule your annual mammogram if you’re due.
  • Remind the women in your life to stay up-to-date with their screenings.

We are proud to carry Joyce Boone’s mission forward. This October, honor yourself by making your breast health a priority.

Ad promoting the 3D MAMMOMAT Revelation for comfortable mammograms with a smiling woman and St. Vincent Health logo.

👉 To schedule your mammogram, please call St. Vincent Health Imaging Services at 719-486-7153. See your primary care doctor if you have questions about mammography or need a prescription for the mammogram.

Together, we’ll make sure breast cancer has no place to hide.