Links to a Healthier Future

By Patricia Boehm | Photo courtesy of Ochsner Marketing and Communications

Erica Broussard, MD, Senior Physician and Site Lead for Radiology at Ochsner Baptist, has a passion for women’s health and giving back. Through her role at Ochsner Baptist and her membership in The Pontchartrain Chapter of The Links, Inc., she was able to organize the Links in Pink event and fulfill her dream of reaching women through personalized breast cancer screenings.

The biannual event provides free mammograms with same day results to underserved, uninsured women who do not have access to care. Supported by donors through the Attack Breast Cancer Early Fund, the most recent Links in Pink event held on October 22, 2022, provided 20 mammograms to women in our community.

“The Links in Pink free screening mammogram event serves women who lack resources or means by providing them an opportunity to detect breast cancer early. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. Without this program, these women would not have lifesaving access to early detection,” said Dr. Broussard.

Since the first event in 2020, 80 women have received free screenings. These screenings provide the chance to catch breast cancer in its early stages and thus provide a better outcome. In lieu of a spring event this year, the group will provide free screens for women through health fairs and our community partners. The next event is scheduled for October 28, 2023, and can provide screenings for up to 50 patients.

Dr. Broussard and members of The Ponchartrain Chapter of the Links, Inc. at the Links in Pink event in October 2022.

Photo courtesy of Ochsner Marketing and Communications