Staying in the know when it comes to healthcare is vital and in an effort to help educate women about their well-being Merit Health River Region hosted Pretty Woman: Healthy is Beautiful, on Wednesday.

The atrium of the hospital was packed during the event that included a ribbon cutting for the 3D mammography equipment and the newly remodeled Women’s Diagnostic area, a resource health fair and a Q&A lunch featuring hospital providers.

Chief executive of MHRR Benjamin Richaud said he was pleased with the turnout for the event.

“I am so very excited to see all the wonderful community support. I think that demonstrates people’s willingness and eagerness to seek their healthcare services here in Vicksburg, and I am just humbled and privileged to be able to be a partner in that delivery,” Richaud said.

Leigh White, who is the director of marketing and corporate programs at MHRR concurred with Richaud about the turn out for the Pretty Woman: Healthy is Beautiful event.

“I am just fully amazed at how people, especially women, care enough about their health and healthcare to come these events,” White said, adding, “It makes us feel good that we have the support of the community.”

On behalf of the mayor and alderman, Mayor George Flaggs, Jr., thanked MHRR for all they do for the community.

“Thank you for advancing your technology and your staff and doing all you can to meet our healthcare needs,” Flaggs said.

“We have a holistic healthcare service not only in this facility, but also in Vicksburg,” Flaggs said.

Also during opening remarks following the ribbon cutting, Richaud said, “This is a great day” for the hospital, referring to the new3D mammography equipment.

Cutting edge technology is now available in Vicksburg, he said.

Linda Monsour, who is a registered mammographer said the new equipment will be a game changer for women undergoing a mammogram.

“I think this equipment is amazing. It takes multiple images that reconstructs into a 3D image for the doctor to interpret,” Monsour said, which allows them then to detect cancer earlier.

“Maybe a year earlier than we did with 2D,” she said.

“Women need to know this is the best technology out there and it can save your life,” Monsour said.

In addition to the 3D equipment allowing for more accurate readings, it also allows for less diagnostic callbacks and women find out their results sooner.

“If you have a diagnostic problem, you will get your results that day unless you have to have a biopsy. Screeners are read the very next day,” Monsour said, and then mailed their results.

During the Q&A lunch, which was held from noon to 1 p.m., MHRR providers Dr. W. Forrest Carson, Dr. Paul Pierce, IV, Dr. Joyce Muruti, physicians assistant Carrie Eure and Kim Kilpatrick, a family medicine nurse practitioner answered questions from ‘why do I get so many urinary tract infections’ to cardio vascular issues to ‘is the shingles shot safe.’

MHRR is located at 2100 U.S. 61 North.