BreastCare Center opens at WMC
Trending
WEIRTON -- A journey for the last five years at Weirton Medical Center officially came to an end Tuesday with the grand opening celebration for the hospital's new BreastCare Center.
"It's a monumental day for Weirton Medical Center," hospital Director of Communications Kelli McCoy told a crowd gathered for the festivities.
The multi-million-dollar, state-of-the-art facility began operations Feb. 5, completing the hospital's plans for an area specifically dedicated to providing healthcare for area women.
Dr. Carol Slomski, who leads the team of doctors and staff at the BreastCare Center, expressed her appreciation for the work and contributions which have gone into establishing the new area.
"It's a beautiful space," Slomski said. "I'm proud to come into work every morning."
The 4,300-square-foot facility, which began construction last spring, is located on the main floor of the hospital's Medical Office Building, near the All About Women Suite.
"It's a great ending to our journey of five years, but it's also just the beginning," Slomski said, noting plans for additional services and programs in the future.
In addition to Slomski, the WMC BreastCare Team also includes Dr. Eric Balzano, Dr. Kara Leslie, Dr. John Balzano and Ashley Pesta, R.N., who serves as nurse navigator.
The BreastCare Center includes dedicated waiting areas and changing rooms, multiple examination areas, mammography rooms, ultrasound rooms and more, all geared toward providing a central location for area women to receive medical testing and treatment.
As part of Tuesday's celebration, the hospital accepted two recent donations toward the BreastCare Center, with representatives of the Weirton Firefighters Association Local 948 contributing $2,500 from the sale of breast cancer awareness blankets, and $500 from the Weir High soccer teams raised through a recent "pink out" event.
McCoy also presented a plaque, in appreciation of the Rotary Club of Weirton Heights, whose 2017 Mardi Gras Gala event raised $45,000 for the BreastCare Center.
"This will be hanging forever in our waiting area," McCoy said.
Members of the St. Joseph the Worker Grade School choir also were on hand to perform the national anthem.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)