Nashville General Hospital at Meharry

Mammograms In May

Nashville General Hospital at Meharry (NGHM) launched its Mammograms in May (MIM) program in 2003 to address the breast cancer health disparity in North Nashville and because health care costs remain a major access barrier for mammography screening for uninsured women.

MIM provides a free screening mammogram to any woman over the age of 40 who has not had a screening in the prior 12 months. The original idea behind MIM was to raise awareness about breast cancer and to encourage women (especially minorities and those who are uninsured) to seek early screening, which saves many lives. Since 2003, nearly 70% of MIM participants did not have health insurance. NGHM waives the co-pay and deductible for women who have insurance.

The program has been a huge success having served 1,660 women the last four years, many of whom might have delayed or not sought mammography screening. NGHM leverages media interest around Mothers Day and now annually receives a great deal of earned media opportunities, which helps to drive public interest in the program. Since 2003, the program has found 15 women with undiagnosed breast cancer.


For more information about this program, please contact:

Marc Overlock, JD, M-Div.
Director of Inst. Development & Advocacy
615-341-4403
marc.overlock@nashville.gov