Valet parking and mammograms, X-rays and coffee, CatScans and a warm fireplace, you usually don’t hear about these things being paired together but at the new Outpatient Imaging Center at Cookeville Regional patients should get ready for a different kind of experience.

Dr. Spence Madell, Radiologist says, “Starting from when they arrive they’ll be met at the door and their car can be valet parked free of charge. When they come in the center the waiting room is just so pleasant and in the winter time there will be a fireplace and it will be just a comfortable place to be.

The new Center offers a full array of imaging services including digital x-ray, CatScan, MRI, nuclear medicine, and ultrasound. The Women’s Center, located on the second floor of the new center, features digital mammography, breast ultrasound & biopsy and bone density testing.

Hugh Bennett, supervisor of the center says that one machine in particular is good for claustrophobic patients.

“We decided to go with the High Field open MRI because one of the biggest complaints is patients being claustrophobic and having trouble being in confined areas so we’ve tried to help these patients with the truly open architecture and help minimize those fears.”

Patients always want to know how their results will be handled, and the center has another improvement to offer them.

“There is a dedicated radiologist here and we have the ability to offer the patients same day results for their screening mammograms.”

Dr. Madell says the care they give doesn’t stop after the tests are over.

“If a patient wants to speak to one of us we’ll always make ourselves available to them.”

Michelle Zellner , Director of Imaging Services at Cookeville Regional says the center has one main purpose.

“It’s main purpose is to allow people to come and easily get in and out quickly.”

Also every piece of equipment is digital and Dr. Madell says this technology offers clearer images.

“The resolution on these is magnificent and allows us to see details we couldn’t before.”

The New Outpatient Imaging Center also has added some extra conveniences and amenities that set it apart such as same day results for screening mammograms, Saturday appointments, ipod docking stations and TV systems during mri scans and last but not least none of those dreaded open back gowns.

Michelle Zellner, Director of The Imaging Center and Women’s Center at Cookeville says,” We’ve tried to ensure the patient’s comfort from the moment they get here until the moment they leave.”

Dr. Madell says that patients will leave the center feeling special.

“Patients will feel truly spoiled from beginning to end.”

The Outpatient Imaging Center is located just one block from the campus of Cookeville Regional at 251 West Third Street. For more information about the center give them a call at 646-5850. A physician’s order is required for imaging tests.