Obtaining an Appointment:
To make an appointment for a routine screening mammogram, for a consultation with one of our physicians, or to request further information about the Southwestern Center for Breast Care, please call 214-645-HOPE (4673), toll free 866-460-HOPE (4673) or e-mail breastcenter@utsouthwestern.edu.
Patients are generally referred to our center by their primary-care physician, but you may refer yourself. All previous mammograms and other scans, as well as pathology slides from previous surgeries and related written reports, need to be received by our center prior to your first visit, if possible. Patients who self-refer to our Center may call our office to schedule an appointment for a mammogram, physical examination, and consultation by one of our breast care physicians without needing a referral from a primary care physician.
Your First Appointment
Your first visit will consist of three parts: a physical examination by a physician, a diagnostic evaluation, and a consultation. During your visit, your physician will carefully examine your breasts for abnormalities and ask questions regarding your medical history. One or more tests may be required to help make a diagnosis. A mammogram, ultrasound, or other imaging procedure may be ordered.
Preparing for Your Appointment
If you have had previous mammograms and/or sonograms, please bring the films and written reports with you on your first visit if they have not been sent to our office in advance. A repeat mammogram or other studies are sometimes necessary, so we ask that you come prepared for them.
Women are asked to wear a two-piece outfit with a blouse that can be easily removed. Metallic substances in some deodorants and bath powders can produce inaccurate mammogram readings. Please do not use these products on the day of your appointment.
Location and Office Hours
Our outpatient services are provided on the third floor of the Seay Biomedical Building, 2201 Inwood Road, on the Southwestern Medical Center North Campus. The Center for Breast Care is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Inpatient services are provided at Zale Lipshy University Hospital, 5151 Harry Hines Blvd., and at St. Paul University Hospital, 5909 Harry Hines Blvd. Patients receiving radiation therapy are treated at Southwestern's Moncrief Radiation Oncology Center, 5801 Forest Park Road, which is adjacent to the Seay Building.
Cancellations
If it is necessary to cancel an appointment, please let the Center know at least 24 hours in advance, if possible. This is important for the courtesy of other patients who may be in need of urgent care.
Urgent or After-hours Calls and Emergency Care
If you have an urgent problem or feel you need to see your physician immediately, please call the clinic number, 214-645-HOPE (4673) (toll free 866-460-HOPE (4673)) as early as possible. From the automated voice menu, select option 3. A nurse will speak with you and make the necessary arrangements. Your physician will make every attempt to see you. If this is not possible, an appointment with the doctor-on-call is available Monday through Friday.
If you have an urgent problem after hours, on weekends, or on holidays, telephone the clinic. The answering service will contact the doctor-on-call and give her or him your telephone number. The doctor-on-call will phone you back and help you with your medical problem.
If you have a problem that you feel is life-threatening, call 911 immediately and go to the nearest emergency room. Regardless of the emergency room you go to, tell the staff physician that you are a patient of UT Southwestern and would like to be transported to a UT Southwestern-affiliated hospital when you are stable. The physician treating you will notify the breast doctor-on-call, who will arrange your transfer if you need to be admitted for further care.
Guest and Patient Services
We want to ensure that your visit to our campus is as convenient and comfortable as possible. For those who live out of town, several hotels located near the campus provide discounted rates to our patients and their family members and some of them offer complimentary transportation to and from the campus. A Southwestern Patient Services Ambassador would be glad to help you find a place to stay.
A Patient Ambassador also may be called upon for help in arranging a wheelchair or other special assistance. Please call Guest and Patient Services in the Seay Building, 214-645-8583, if they can help you.
Parking Information
Valet parking is offered at the main entrance of the Seay Biomedical Building for a nominal fee. Complimentary self-parking is available for Center for Breast Care patients across Harry Hines from the Aston Ambulatory Care Building, 5303 Harry Hines Blvd., in the lot marked "Hospital Parking." A complimentary shuttle service transports patients between a covered shelter in the parking lot and the Aston Building. Then another complimentary shuttle transports patients to the Seay Building.
Handicapped patients needing assistance unloading are encouraged to use the valet parking service in front of the Seay Building. Complimentary valet parking is available to patients with handicap license plates or placards.
Complimentary 15 minute valet parking is available for radiation oncology patients at the entrance of the Moncrief Radiation Oncology Center, 5801 Forest Park Road. Long-term parking for Moncrief patients is available at the Seay Biomedical Building.
Financial and Insurance Questions
The Southwestern Center for Breast Care accepts Medicare, private insurance, and several managed care plans. If you have questions about your account, please call our financial counselor at 214-645-0600.
