MUSC Health Florence Medical Center has earned designation as a Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center by the American College of Radiology, recognizing the program’s breadth of services, advanced technology and commitment to high-quality cancer care.
The designation is awarded to centers that meet rigorous national standards in breast imaging and provide a range of screening and diagnostic services. Programs undergo extensive review of quality, equipment, physician expertise and staff qualifications.
At MUSC Health Florence, the designation reflects the continued growth of breast imaging and breast cancer services in the Pee Dee. It is also part of a broader expansion of the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center network, extending the resources of South Carolina’s only National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center to communities across the state. This growth involves major investments in cancer care infrastructure, including a new comprehensive cancer hospital soon to be under construction in Charleston and a new Hollings Cancer Center at Florence Medical Center set to open in fall of 2027.
“We’re really pleased we can offer this level of imaging and care in the Pee Dee,” said Chandra Baker, M.D., a fellowship-trained breast radiologist at MUSC Health Florence. “It means patients can receive coordinated, first-rate care closer to home.”
The program offers multiple screening modalities, including 3D mammography, breast ultrasound and MRI, to help physicians to detect and evaluate breast cancer as early and accurately as possible. A recently installed 3 Tesla MRI provides more detailed images, and MRI-guided biopsies are coming soon, enabling detection of abnormalities that may not appear on other imaging tests.
“These tools help patients receive accurate screenings and timely follow-up care,” said breast surgeon Amy Murrell, M.D., who oversees the breast cancer program for the MUSC Health-Pee Dee Division. “They ensure the highest-quality images with the highest level of interpretation. That leads to earlier detection and better outcomes for patients.”
In addition to imaging services in Florence, mammography and ultrasound are also available at outreach locations, including the Black River and Marion medical centers, making screening and follow-up care more convenient for patients across the region.
We’re really pleased we can offer this level of imaging and care in the Pee Dee. It means patients can receive coordinated, first-rate care closer to home.
For Murrell, the Comprehensive Breast Imaging Center designation captures not only the technology available in Florence but also the coordinated approach behind the program. Breast cancer cases are reviewed through weekly tumor board meetings that bring together specialists across radiology, surgery, oncology and other disciplines to guide treatment planning. Specialists also work closely with colleagues in Charleston to ensure that patients receive the best care for both routine and complex cases.
“Our program in the Pee Dee is just as comprehensive as the program in Charleston,” she said. “However, if we have a patient with an unusual cancer, we can consult with our colleagues down in Charleston for a second opinion. For patients, this can provide the highest level of care without leaving home.”
The program also includes a High-Risk Breast Program for patients with elevated breast cancer risk because of factors such as family history, genetic predisposition or dense breast tissue. Those patients receive individualized screening plans that can include supplemental imaging or earlier surveillance.
“We realized that not all patients require the same level of screening,” Baker said. “Some people need a higher level of monitoring based on their risk.”
The program is further broadening access to clinical trials, testing new treatments and approaches as MUSC Health physicians bring more research opportunities closer to patients across the region.
“It’s really about making sure patients get the care they need,” Murrell said. “This breadth of services and expertise helps us develop the most effective treatment plan for each patient from the start.”
“As scary as cancer is, don’t let that deter you from coming in,” Baker added. “The reality is that we can treat most breast cancers, and the earlier you catch them, the better.”
Hayley Kamin
Communications Manager
Hayley Kamin is the communications manager for the Hollings Cancer Center Communications and Marketing team, having joined the team in 2025 after three years as a communications specialist at the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a science communicator with a Ph.D. from the University of Florida, she has extensive experience translating complex research into clear, engaging content. Her career has included roles at the NIH’s National Institute of Mental Health and the American Psychological Association, where she led content development and editorial strategy, developed science and health communications and worked with researchers and clinicians to strengthen public understanding of research.
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