Rushville, IL, Jan 25, 2011 -- Contact: Joan Messina (217) 403-6248

Rushville Hospital Receives USDA Grant for High Tech Diagnostic Services

Rushville, Ill., Jan. 25, 2011 – State Director Colleen Callahan today announced that the Schuyler County Hospital District, better known as Culbertson Memorial Hospital, was selected to receive a $170,020 grant to implement digital mammography.

The grant will be used to integrate digital mammography into the hospital district’s current tele-radiology system, providing patients with improved diagnostic services throughout its service area that includes Brown, Cass, Schuyler and part of Fulton counties.

The project was one of 106 projects in 38 states and one territory that were selected this week to receive more than $34.7 million in grants to fund educational projects and expand access to health care services in rural areas through USDA’s Distance Learning and Telemedicine Program.

"Too many rural areas cannot take full advantage of the opportunities afforded by broadband for improved education and health care,” Callahan said. “This grant means Culbertson Memorial Hospital can use broadband to bridge the miles between specialists and patients, ensure prompt evaluations, and begin appropriate care when needed as quickly as possible.”

Currently, the closest digital mammography service and radiologists to interpret the images is 60 miles away. With this technology, high quality images can be transmitted to radiologists in Springfield in minutes, and their reports can be returned just as quickly. Not only will the quality of patient care improve, the hospital will have an efficient, secure and cost effective way to store and retrieve large volumes of patient images. Culbertson Memorial Hospital will be able to use the technology and diagnostic services to improve the odds for the one in eight women on average who are diagnosed with breast cancer.

Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreement.

Rural Development’s programs help to foster growth and economic stability in rural areas by providing affordable financing and technical assistance for homeownership, business development, community infrastructure. More information on USDA Rural Development programs is available on the web at www.rurdev.usda.gov/il. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

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