Fighting Breast Cancer Featuring Dr. Kathleen Jeffery

St. Mary’s provides new ways to help women survive and thrive

When breast cancer nurse navigator Ashley Woodall sees a woman who has just been diagnosed with breast cancer, she knows she is helping a woman whose life has been changed forever.

“A cancer diagnosis can feel overwhelming,” Ashley says. “Patients have to learn as much as they can about their disease and make important decisions about treatment options. They may feel scared and alone and worried about how they are going to manage it all. As a breast cancer nurse navigator, it is my goal to alleviate some of the overwhelming feelings that come with receiving a cancer diagnosis."

St. Mary’s works to alleviate that impact by providing compassionate care and state-of-the art technologies to help women combat their cancer in the way that is right for them.

“Breast cancer is extremely personal,” says Denise Williamson, also a breast cancer nurse navigator with St. Mary’s. “Each woman's journey is their own. Our goal is to help them understand their diagnosis and to walk them through the choices they must make. We support them anyway we can.”

A whole new level of care with Dr. Kathleen Jeffery

This summer, St. Mary’s welcomed a new surgeon to its medical group: Dr. Kathleen Jeffery. Dr. Jeffery is our region’s first female board-certified surgeon specializing in breast surgery. Practicing with Athens General and Colorectal Surgeons, she quickly began working with St. Mary’s to create a high-risk breast cancer program and enhance access to care for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

“My entire team and I are committed to comprehensive patient care and timeliness of treatment,” she says. “My past experience and training allows me to help patients navigate their breast health journey every step of the way. With all St. Mary’s breast care services, our goal is for patients to understand and be comfortable with their care options. We strive to provide an exceptional, concierge-level experience tailored to the individual needs of each patient.”

Dr. Jeffery is working with St. Mary’s team to build a comprehensive breast health service center, including a high-risk breast cancer clinic, support group, and more.

St. Mary’s is advancing breast cancer care all across Northeast Georgia

In September 2020, St. Mary’s Good Samaritan Hospital partnered with dedicated breast cancer radiologists to provide diagnostic mammography at the Greene County hospital.

“Diagnostic mammography can help provide women and their doctor with the answers they need after a screening mammogram shows an area of concern,” explains Good Samaritan Hospital President Tanya Adcock. “Having this capability at our hospital is huge. It means women in our area can get the answers they need right here, close to home, rather than having to make that long trip to Athens, Augusta or Atlanta.”

Tanya noted that Good Samaritan Hospital also provides ultrasound testing – a second type of follow-up study that is often used when a screening mammogram shows an area of concern. “Because we now have both modalities and a radiologist on-site during their follow-up study, we can tell our patients on the same day as their call-back whether there’s nothing to worry about or if they need a biopsy.”

“I also want to express our whole hospital’s thanks to the Good Samaritan Hospital Foundation, which made it possible for us to purchase the Hologic SecureView reading system that makes our diagnostic mammography services possible,” Tanya added.

St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital in Lavonia and St. Mary’s Hospital in Athens also offer diagnostic mammography and ultrasound studies, plus breast MRI is available at the Athens hospital.

St. Mary’s breast health services at a glance:

3D screening mammography (4 locations)

• St. Mary's Hospital, 1230 Baxter St., Athens. (706) 389-2700
• St. Mary's Outpatient Center, 2470 Daniells Bridge Road, Athens. (706) 389-2700
• St. Mary's Good Samaritan Hospital, 5401 Lake Oconee Parkway, Greensboro. (706) 389-2700
• St. Mary's Sacred Heart Hospital, 367 Clear Creek Parkway, Lavonia. (706) 356-7808

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• Diagnostic mammography
• Ultrasound studies
• Breast MRI
• Surgical services, including reconstruction
• Dedicated breast imaging radiologists
• Breast cancer nurse navigators
• Cardio-oncology program

Note: not all services available at all locations. Please ask your doctor for details or call (706) 389-3000 and ask to speak to our breast cancer nurse navigators.

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