Lifelong, coordinated care for survivors and greater access to imaging provided by specialists dedicated exclusively to breast imaging

Brooklyn, NY, July 21, 2026 – Among the more than 4 million Americans who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, many survivors struggle to navigate what comes after treatment ends.

Maimonides Health is addressing that gap. With the new Breast Cancer Survivorship Program and Mammography Suite at the Maimonides Breast Cancer Center, patients will receive a more seamless continuum of care from early detection by specialists dedicated exclusively to breast imaging and diagnosis through treatment and long-term survivorship.

“Our newest investments reflect our commitment to caring for patients through every stage of their breast health journey,” said Patrick Borgen, MD, Chair of Surgery at Maimonides Health and Director of the Maimonides Breast Cancer Center. “Whether a patient comes to us for a routine screening mammogram, a breast cancer diagnosis, treatment, or years after completing therapy, she deserves expert, coordinated care in an environment designed specifically for her needs. These enhancements allow us to deliver that care more efficiently, more comfortably, and with greater personalization.”

“We’ve redesigned our model of care around what patients actually experience during cancer treatment and the years afterward,” said Jessica Torrente, MD, fellowship-trained breast imaging radiologist at Maimonides Health. “Whether someone is coming in for her very first mammogram or celebrating years beyond breast cancer, our goal is the same: to make every patient feel supported, cared for, and confident that she is receiving the highest level of breast care available.” 

Established in 2011 as Brooklyn’s first fully accredited breast cancer center, Maimonides has continued to expand its nationally recognized services. Following renovations to the Breast Cancer Center’s lobby and patient reception areas last year, the new mammography suite increases access to specialized breast imaging while the Survivorship Program provides dedicated care for former breast cancer patients long after active treatment has ended.

Located on the second floor of the Maimonides Breast Cancer Center, the new Mammography Suite expands access to life-saving screening and diagnostic services with new 3D mammography and ultrasound equipment, dedicated changing rooms, and a patient-centered design to make visits more comfortable and convenient. Expanded weekday appointments from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. allow the center to care for up to 45 patients daily, and appointment wait times have been reduced from approximately four weeks to about one week. Patients can also self-schedule appointments through the MaimoCare app.

The Maimonides Erminia Rivera Breast Imaging Center of Excellence is the first and only Brooklyn-based program designated by the American College of Radiology as a Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center, reflecting excellence across multiple modalities. It is also accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers and the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative and has earned the Commission on Cancer’s Outstanding Achievement Award. 

“Every mammogram performed at Maimonides is interpreted by a physician whose practice is dedicated exclusively to breast imaging,” said Dr. Torrente. “Our goal is to make high-quality breast cancer screening more accessible while providing the most advanced imaging available by offering our patients state-of-the-art 3D mammography, breast ultrasound, breast MRI, and AI-assisted imaging tools that support the expertise of fellowship-trained breast imaging specialists.”

Maimonides use of AI-assisted technology is provided to patients​​ at no additional cost to patients, complementing the expertise of trained radiologists to improve accuracy and reduce callbacks. 

An integrated risk assessment conducted during appointment scheduling and reviewed during each patient’s visit uses validated clinical models that consider personal and family medical history, age, ethnicity, genetic mutations, breast density, and other risk factors. Patients identified as being at elevated lifetime risk are referred to Maimonides’ dedicated High-Risk Breast Program, led by MaryAnn Lopez, NP, for tailored surveillance, counseling, and advanced imaging.

“Informed by years of caring for women with breast cancer, I encourage every woman, especially those at high risk, to have her mammograms interpreted by physicians specifically trained in breast imaging,” said Dr. Torrente. “That expertise can make a meaningful difference in detecting cancers at their earliest, most treatable stages.”

The Breast Cancer Center has also reduced turnaround times for imaging results, from as long as 30 days to no more than 10 days, and patients with suspected malignancies are contacted immediately and offered expedited appointments.

The new Breast Cancer Survivorship Program serves women who are generally five or more years beyond active treatment, offering specialized care that bridges oncology and primary care while recognizing the unique long-term health needs of survivors.

This lets survivors continue receiving care from an integrated multidisciplinary team familiar with their individual treatment journey. Primary care physician Ina Ratner, MD, and nurse practitioners Noleen Lambert, NP, MSN, WHNP, and Angel Parmar, MSN, FNP, work closely with each patient’s care team, helping develop individualized long-term plans addressing surveillance for recurrence, medication management, bone health, sexual health, fertility concerns, chronic pain, hormonal changes, mental health, and other survivorship needs. 

“For many survivors, finishing treatment is not the end of their healthcare journey,” said Joshua Feinberg, MD, Chief of the Division of Breast Surgery at Maimonides Health. “Many continue to experience lasting physical, emotional, hormonal, and psychosocial effects of breast cancer and its treatment. Our Survivorship Program ensures patients receive expert care from clinicians who understand those complexities and can coordinate long-term care across specialties.”

“We’ve redesigned our model of care around what patients actually experience during cancer treatment and the years afterward,” said Dr. Torrente. “Whether someone is coming in for her very first mammogram or celebrating years beyond breast cancer, our goal is the same: to make every patient feel supported, cared for, and confident that she is receiving the highest level of breast care available.”

“Today’s opening of the new mammography suite and launch of the Maimonides Breast Cancer Survivorship Program will connect residents with lifesaving resources and care,” said NYC Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “This space will take people through every stage of their health journey, from detection and diagnosis, to treatment, to long-term support. I thank Maimonides Medical Center for their dedication to safeguarding the health of New Yorkers, and I’m thrilled to celebrate this milestone in guaranteeing accessible breast cancer services for our communities.” 

“Every Brooklynite deserves access to quality healthcare close to home, and women’s healthcare has to be a part of that. Maimonides’s new Mammography Suite and Breast Cancer Survivorship Program will ensure that more of our neighbors can access the screenings, support, and care they need, right in their own community,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Accessible screenings and early detection really do save lives, and I’m so grateful to Maimonides Health for all they do for women’s healthcare.”

“Today’s celebration is about more than a renovated facility,” said State Senator Stephen Chan. “By combining state-of-the-art screening technology with a new survivorship program, Maimonides is ensuring that patients receive support from diagnosis through recovery, making our entire community healthier and stronger.”

“The newly renovated Mammography Suite and Breast Cancer Survivorship Program represent an investment in healthier families and stronger communities,” said State Assemblymember Lester Chang. “I commend Maimonides for expanding access to life-saving care for residents of the 49th Assembly District and beyond.”

“Every person deserves access to high-quality, compassionate health care close to home. The opening of Maimonides Health’s new Mammography Suite and the launch of the Breast Cancer Survivorship Program represent a meaningful investment in the health and well-being of our community,” said State Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes. “By expanding access to advanced breast cancer screening and providing continued support for survivors, Maimonides is helping save lives and ensuring that patients receive the care they deserve at every stage of their journey. I am proud to celebrate this milestone and thank everyone at Maimonides for their unwavering commitment to the people of Brooklyn.” 

“As a nurse, I know that access to advanced, timely breast cancer screening saves lives, and this new Mammography Suite ensures the women of Brooklyn have that access close to home,” said City Council Member Mercedes Narcisse. “I’m also proud to see the Breast Cancer Survivorship Program launch alongside it, because caring for patients doesn’t end when treatment does. Maimonides continues to set the standard for compassionate, comprehensive women’s health care in our community, and I thank the team at the hospital for always endeavoring to heal and care.”

“I always wear pink because I lost two of my aunts to breast cancer, so this issue is deeply personal to me and my family,” said City Council Member Susan Zhuang. “That’s why I’m especially grateful to Maimonides for expanding breast cancer services in our community and for ensuring compassionate, accessible care in dozens of languages so every patient feels seen, supported, and cared for.” 

To learn more about the Maimonides Breast Cancer Center or schedule an appointment, visit www.maimo.org, call 718-765-2550, or self-schedule through the MaimoCare app. 

View photos from the ribbon-cutting event here. To download photos, use PIN 5051.