New kind of mammogram, designed with women in mind, comes to NIHD

Many women describe mammograms as uncomfortable or awkward. Northern Inyo Healthcare District hopes to change that experience with a new approach — and a new machine.
NIHD recently introduced the GE Senographe Pristina™, a next-generation 3D mammography system created with women’s input from the very beginning. The goal: to make breast cancer screenings more comfortable, more accurate, and a little less intimidating for women throughout the Eastern Sierra.
“Women told designers what they disliked about traditional mammograms, and this system was built around that feedback,” said Marci Boyd, NIHD’s Diagnostic Imaging Manager. “From the rounded edges and soft armrests to the gentle lighting and quieter operation, everything is about helping patients feel more at ease.”
The Pristina differs from older mammography systems in several key ways. Instead of gripping hard handles and tensing their muscles, patients can rest their arms comfortably and lean into soft supports. That relaxed position allows technologists to achieve better placement and compression, producing clearer, more detailed images.
“The more relaxed the patient, the better the image,” Boyd explained. “That’s important because poor positioning is one of the biggest causes of unclear mammograms or repeat scans. The Pristina helps us get the highest-quality images the first time.”
Allison Partridge, RN, MSN, NIHD’s Chief Operations and Nursing Officer, said the system also provides advanced 3D imaging at one of the lowest radiation doses approved by the FDA. “This technology blends compassionate care with cutting-edge imaging,” Partridge said. “When women feel comfortable scheduling their mammograms, we can detect cancer earlier when treatment is most effective.”
To make screenings even more accessible, NIHD offers Moonlight Mammograms Wednesdays, October 15 and 22, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month. These evening appointments, 4-8 p.m., give women a convenient, comfortable option outside of normal business hours and helping more people fit this lifesaving exam into their schedules.
According to the American Cancer Society, women should begin annual mammograms at age 40 and continue as recommended by their healthcare provider. Partridge said NIHD hopes that greater comfort and convenience will encourage more women to stay up to date with regular screenings.
“Our community deserves the same level of advanced care found in larger hospitals,” she said. “The Pristina allows us to deliver that to the women we serve.”
Appointments for screening mammograms are available now in NIHD’s Diagnostic Imaging Department. To schedule, call (760) 873-2155.