Gift To St. Mary Will Help Expand Breast Center

LANGHORNE, PA — A quarter-million-dollar gift to the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation will go toward expanding the hospital's Breast Health Center.

The hospital announced the $250,000 donation, from philanthropists Dominic and Michelle Frederico, on Wednesday.

Though the Fredericos do not have a history of breast cancer in their family, they have made it a goal to increase access to health care in the greater Philadelphia area, the hospital said in the announcement.

"Healthcare and education are extremely important areas of focus for our family," said Dominic Frederico, CEO and President of Assured Guaranty, in a news release. "We want to reduce the barriers for the community to access quality healthcare institutions like St. Mary, because early detection of breast cancer is so critical. This breast center expansion will remove those access barriers and allow more patients to be seen than before."

The proposed expansion of the hospital's Breast Health Center would add nearly 2,000 square feet to the center's current footprint. The new center will include four mammography rooms and machines, two ultrasound rooms and machines, four waiting rooms and space for two nurse navigators, St. Mary said.

There also will be cosmetic upgrades and additions including an expanded waiting area, more bathrooms and storage space.

"We are very excited to receive this gift thanks to the sincere generosity of Mr. and Mrs. Frederico," said St. Mary President Dr. Laurence Brilliant. "St. Mary is growing to meet the needs of the community so we can continue our mission to be a healing presence for the communities we serve and to deliver timely, cost-effective care. We thank the Fredericos for helping us accomplish our mission."

The expanded Breast Health Center is expected to open in the summer of 2019.