VCU news

By Malorie Burkett

RICHMOND, Va. (April 18, 2006) — The Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine’s Department of Radiology has appointed Gilda Cardeñosa, M.D., an internationally recognized radiologist, as its director of breast imaging.

She joins Pamela Kiser, M.D., and Christine Llewellyn, M.D., both assistant professors in radiology.

“Dr. Cardeñosa is well-known for her dedication to the efficient delivery of high-quality patient care,” said Ann Fulcher, M.D., chair of the Department of Radiology. “For her, the patient always has top priority, and as a result our patients and their referring physicians will benefit from her extensive knowledge and experience.”

Breast imaging involves procedures that detect and evaluate breast abnormalities, both in patients with no symptoms and in those who may have detected a breast abnormality, such as a lump.

In addition to the various breast imaging procedures offered at the VCU Medical Center, including mammograms and ultrasounds, patients benefit from having their entire case reviewed and discussed by experts in breast disease.

Cardeñosa said several changes will be implemented to further benefit patients, including 24-hour availability; same-day and expedited appointments; same-day biopsies; consultation with a surgeon within 48 hours of diagnosis; and more screening services for high-risk women.

Cardeñosa also would like to create a world-class breast imaging teaching service and a fellowship program for the benefit of patients, their referring physicians and the community. In addition, Cardeñosa wants to develop the breast magnetic resonance imaging program, which she says has the potential to contribute significantly to patient care.

“The expertise of our breast imagers is a distinguishing feature of our breast imaging services,” said Cardeñosa. “The multidisciplinary approach to patient care in general and breast disease in particular sets our breast imaging center and the VCU Medical Center apart from other practices.”

Cardeñosa also brings to VCU her skills as a teacher who lectures extensively throughout the world and as an author of textbooks on breast imaging.

Prior to joining VCU, Cardeñosa was medical director at the Breast Center of Greensboro in North Carolina. She received her medical degree in 1984 from the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Columbia University in New York.