Memphis, Tenn., May 7, 2002 - Ethicon Endo-Surgery Inc. recently named Baptist’s Women’s Health Center a Center of Excellence for the Mammotome® Breast Biopsy System.

Ethicon recognized Baptist because it served as a luminary site for the Mammotome® system, providing demonstrations and training for more than 25 surgeons and radiologists, as well as 200 nurses, mammographers and radiologic technologists from across the country between 1999 and 2001. Baptist’s Women’s Health Center also has performed more than 1,000 Mammotome® procedures since 1999.

The Mammotome® Breast Biopsy System is an alternative to open surgical biopsy. The procedure, which is less invasive, allows physicians to obtain large breast tissue samples without surgery and under local anesthesia, reducing the amount of healthy breast tissue removed, minimizing scarring and allowing patients to return to their normal routines following the outpatient procedure.

Ethicon will designate 130 facilities as Centers of Excellence in the United States. Only two awards are being given in the Mid-South.

“This is the first year we’ve given the Center of Excellence award and we’re proud to present it to Baptist,” said Jenny Webb, breast care specialist with Ethicon Endo-Surgery. “Baptist’s commitment to women’s health and making the latest technology available to patients and physicians is outstanding.”

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, the manufacturer of the Mammotome® Breast Biopsy System, is a recognized world leader of surgical instruments used for minimally invasive surgery. The company works closely with physicians and surgeons to develop products for procedures that improve results, recovery and the quality of life for surgical patients around the world. Ethicon Endo-Surgery is a member of the Johnson & Johnson family of companies. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, it has more than 3,500 employees.

The Baptist Women’s Health Center offers a number of resources for women facing breast cancer, including access to breast health specialists to help guide them through breast cancer treatment and recovery, a lymphedema clinic and the Baptist Women’s Health Center Boutique, a medical retail shop. The Women’s Health Center also offers mammography, digital mammography, ultrasound, sentinel node biopsy and bone density testing. The center is also a component of the Baptist comprehensive breast center.

For more information about the Baptist Women’s Health Center or to schedule a mammogram, please call (901) 227-9650.

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