NUMC receives $1M gift for 3D mammography, bone scans | Long Island Business News

East Meadow-based Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) received an anonymous $1 million donation to advance women’s health.

The gift, which was secured by NUMC Board of Directors Chair Stuart Rabinowitz, will fund 3D mammography and bone density scanning systems to enhance the hospital’s ability to diagnose breast cancer and bone health.

“This extraordinary act of generosity will help us detect breast cancer and osteoporosis earlier, treat them more effectively, and save countless lives,” Dr. Richard Becker, NUMC Interim CEO, said in a news release about the gift.

“This is an investment in every woman who entrusts her care to NUMC,” Becker added

“The new technology funded by the generosity of an anonymous donor has strengthened NUMC’s ability to provide the highest quality care to our patients,” Rabinowitz said in the news release.

“We are deeply committed to ensuring accessible care for every member of our community, and this investment will help us deliver on that promise for generations to come,” Rabinowitz added.

The donation comes at a critical moment for NUMC, which works to provide equitable, high-quality healthcare to women across Long Island, particularly those in underserved communities. Its current mammography equipment, purchased in 2010, has reached the end of its operational lifespan.

On Long Island, about one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer, with even higher rates seen among underserved communities that turn to NUMC for care, according to the hospital. Early detection can make a life-saving difference, leading to less invasive treatment and far better outcomes, medical experts say.

The donation will fund new Hologic 3D mammography systems with biopsy capability to streamline diagnosis and speed care. The systems produce high-resolution 3D images that help improve cancer detection accuracy, reduce unnecessary biopsies and cut “anxiety-inducing” callback rates by nearly 50 percent, hospital officials said. The systems also feature self-controlled compression for greater patient comfort and allow screening and biopsy on the same platform.

NUMC’s Mobile Mammography Unit (also known as the “Mammo Van”) already brings Hologic 3D technology directly into the community, expanding access to breast cancer screening for patients who may otherwise face barriers to care. The new in-hospital systems will build on these results, supporting NUMC’s mission of early detection and health equity.

Early detection of bone loss and osteoporosis is key to maintaining women’s long-term health. Bone density screening is standard care, especially for postmenopausal women, because it helps guide treatment for chronic conditions and improves quality of life.

The donation will also fund a new Hologic Horizon Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) System, replacing an outdated model. The Horizon DXA uses low-dose X-rays to accurately measure bone mineral density, evaluate fracture risk and assess body composition, including fat and lean mass. The system’s high-resolution imaging and fast output is designed for precise, efficient and preventive diagnostic care, hospital officials said.