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"It's great for us to come out into the community where the members live and provide these services close to their homes.”
Sometimes all it takes is a simple phone call to encourage someone to make a potentially life-changing decision.
That's the goal behind UPMC Health Plan’s Mamm O’Glam events. The program emphasizes the importance of early breast cancer detection through screenings.
“We hear stories at every event where the members tell us that they needed this service,” says David Schehr, program director, UPMC Health Plan. “They haven't had a mammogram in many years, and had we not called and reached out to them, they might not otherwise have had that mammogram completed.”
Over 30 women underwent screenings during a June 2024 event at the UPMC Outpatient Center in Hampton Township, Pa.
The Mamm O’Glam event also included a popular twist. Women received free pampering during their appointment courtesy of North Hills Beauty Academy.
“A lot of (women) are either coming before, during, or after work," beauty academy instructor Sandahl Taylor says. "It's just a way to brighten their day and enhance their mood. For me, that's great news. Just enhance and brighten their day — that makes it all worth it.”
Seven of Sandahl's senior students joined her at the event. They offered services like manicures and nail decals, clip-in extensions, and hand and arm massages.
Sandahl says it takes a lot of hard work to prepare for a Mamm O’Glam event, but the result is rewarding and fun.
"It's also just seeing the smiles on everybody's faces after the day, and having them be able to get outside and get in the community is the best part,” Sandahl says.
Mya S., a cosmetology student, agrees with Sandahl.
“Coming to volunteer for stuff like this makes you feel good because you're able to give back,” she says.
David believes the partnership is successful because giving back to the community is also part of the beauty academy’s mission. He says the mammography technicians who participate are equally supportive.
“They are very appreciative, just knowing that we're helping at least a handful of women with early detection,” David says.
“They remind me that breast cancer is something that unfortunately inflicts a higher percentage of our female population. So, the fact that we can come out and get 30 or 40 women to go through and receive a mammography within a six- or eight-hour window is a lot of throughput.”
Megan W. participated in the June event after a UPMC representative contacted her.
“They told me they were having this event, and I thought, ‘Well, I'm due. (I) might as well,’" Megan says. "So, I said, ‘Sure.’ That got me to do it, too. It helped."
Megan encourages other women to attend future Mamm O’Glam events and get their screenings.
“I think it's great," she says. "You should come if you can. It’s not a pleasant thing to do, but when you have this afterward, people have some nice things for you. I think it's great.”
In addition to services provided by North Hills Beauty Academy, participants also received light refreshments and gift bags.
UPMC Health Plan has hosted about four Mamm O’Glam events yearly since launching the program in 2022. In 2023, about 130 women participated in screenings.
David says he's looking forward to the program expanding and serving women in more communities.
“It's great for us to come out into the community where the members live and provide these services close to their homes,” David says.
At UPMC, Life Changing Medicine means early detection through breast cancer screenings.
Visit UPMC Health Plan’s community events to learn more about upcoming Mamm O’Glam screenings. You also can schedule your mammogram at a UPMC facility online or call 1-800-899-7553 (TTY: 711).
