“My vision is to provide a compassionate, respectful experience for patients while pursuing the clinical objective of detecting and diagnosing breast cancer at its earliest, most curable stage,” explains Dr. Deutch. An innovator in every sense of the word, Dr. Deutch has pioneered and implemented state-of-the-art technology in the field of breast imaging at every stage of her medical career. It began at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where she started the world-famous cancer hospital’s breast MRI program and helped pioneer stereotactic breast biopsy.

Dr. Rose Heller-Savoy and Dr. Beth Deutch

“This is a major breakthrough for women in which state-of-the-art imaging-guided needle biopsy techniques, which are virtually painless and highly accurate outpatient procedures, replace the need for more invasive surgical breast biopsies. This alternative to surgery is fast, with minimal recuperation and no scarring. I worked on the first table of this kind at Sloan Kettering and brought this technology to Wilentz,” adds Dr. Deutch.

In 1994, Dr. Deutch was recruited from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center to build a state-of-the-art breast imaging program at the Jacqueline M. Wilentz Comprehensive Breast Center at Monmouth Medical Center. First as director of breast imaging and then as medical director, Dr. Deutch spent the next eight years developing what is now regarded as New Jersey’s premier breast center. During her tenure at Wilentz, she became the first radiologist in New Jersey, and among the first dozen in the country, to be credentialed in digital mammography.

“Digital mammography has been shown to decrease the need for additional imaging or call-backs by up to 30%, lower radiation dosage to the breasts in at least the dense-breasted population of women and, it is hoped, will improve the overall cancer detection rate of mammography,” adds Dr. Deutch.

In August, Dr. Deutch will premier her latest endeavor, HerSpace: Breast Imaging Associates, with the latest in breast imaging and diagnostic services. Conveniently located at the Monmouth Park Corporate Center I in West Long Branch, HerSpace will provide full-field digital and film screen mammography, computer aided diagnosis (CAD), breast ultrasound, breast MRI, stereotactic and ultrasound-guided core biopsy (mammotomy), needle localization for surgical biopsy, cyst aspiration, galatography, consults/second opinion, and bone densitometry.

“HerSpace will be among the first specialty radiology practices in the nation to offer CAD (Computer Aided Diagnosis) with full-field digital mammography once the technology, now in its final review stages by the FDA, is approved,” notes Dr. Deutch.

But there is more to this story than providing state-of-the-art services. It’s about peace of mind and giving women the opportunity to be proactive when it comes to their breast health. “HerSpace is all about choice – allowing women to choose timely appointments, quick resolution to problems, and same day results all in a stress-free environment,” explains Dr. Deutch.
Whereas most facilities have long wait times with 3-5 months to obtain a routine mammogram, a four to six week wait for a diagnostic mammogram and between two and four weeks to make a biopsy appointment after an abnormality has been detected, HerSpace addresses the emotional impact of waiting and worrying.

“Women worry about two things – that cancer will be detected and that a cancer goes undetected,” explains Dr. Deutch. HerSpace will reduce the anxiety and stress by making prompt appointments with same-day results and prompt resolution to problems its standard practice and by providing expert breast imaging services by experienced, dedicated breast imagers with proven track records.

At HerSpace, routine mammograms will be scheduled within two weeks, and patients receive the results before leaving the facility. Symptomatic patients who need a diagnostic appointment are scheduled within 48 hours and are often seen in the same day, when possible. If an abnormality requiring biopsy is discovered or confirmed, a biopsy can be done in the same visit. Biopsy results are available in 24-48 hours.

“Women also value asking questions and discussing their study directly with me or Dr. Rose Heller-Savoy, who will be a breast imaging associate at HerSpace,” adds Dr. Deutch. Both radiologists are two of New Jersey’s most highly credentialed and experienced breast imagers. Dr. Heller-Savoy and Dr. Deutch began working together at the Wilentz Breast Center in 2000, when Dr. Heller-Savoy became just the second radiologist in New Jersey to be credentialed in digital mammography.

Another concern voiced by women was the environment in which these specialized medical services are performed. The founder of HerSpace has taken this into consideration by creating a beautiful, tranquil, spacious environment, which provides for a woman’s need for privacy, in a stand-alone facility free of hospital and cancer center environments. Even parking has been taken into consideration with ample spaces in front of the building.

“In order to provide women with such highly personalized care and timely appointments and results, we needed to go outside the conventional insurance paradigm that was causing extraordinarily long waits. That is why our imaging services are available on a fee-for-service basis,” explains Dr. Deutch. “Our staff will work with patients by setting up payment plans if needed and helping them complete the necessary paperwork for insurance reimbursement and medical spending accounts.” In addition, HerSpace will accept Medicare to better meet the breast imaging needs of the elderly, retired community.

“HerSpace has been founded to solve a very real problem that was interfering with the health and well-being of female patients,” notes Dr. Deutch.

As she explains, having a patient pay for services is a national trend in breast imaging as breast imaging facilities respond to the impact of below cost insurance payments for mammograms and other related procedures. Because of the inadequate insurance payments, nationwide breast imaging centers are closing or not expanding as the demand for services dramatically increases. This is the source of the long wait times that women experience in scheduling appointments, as the resources necessary to expand facilities and staffing to service more women is not available.

The fee-for-service model offers two advantages to women who want greater control over the services they receive. First, it eliminates any dependency on insurance companies which may prevent the allocation of resources necessary to provide timely, state-of-the-art care to woman. Second, it removes the extensive paper barrier of obtaining referrals, precertifications and authorizations required by insurance companies, that hinder same-day workups and delay appointments for days and even weeks.

“It’s a personal choice that each woman has to make. Now, women will have another option — what I hope they will see as a hassle-free safe haven, a place they can turn to and trust for both routine screening as well as diagnostic workup of breast problems,” notes Dr. Deutch.

Currently accepting appointments for an August opening, HerSpace will be located at the Monmouth Park Corporate Center I , Building A, Suite 130, 187 Route 36 in West Long Branch. For more information, contact HerSpace: Breast Imaging Associates at (732) 571-9100.