08/26/2025
When mammography patients are sent for further testing, Sarah Vaverka can assure them they’re in good hands.
Mostly, it’s because she’s been there herself. 🙂
Vaverka has been a mammography technologist in Marshalltown for about 25 years, but it wasn’t until 2023 she found herself sitting on the opposite side of an exam at UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown.
Following a routine mammogram, Vaverka’s results suggested she get additional imaging and an ultrasound, which then led to a stereotactic needle breast biopsy.
A stereotactic biopsy takes tissue from a breast abnormality. These abnormalities are visible on a mammogram but aren’t easily felt or found during a physical exam or ultrasound.
From there, Vaverka underwent an MRI and two more breast biopsies. Pathology revealed a high-risk lesion that could develop into breast cancer if left alone. So, prior to surgery, the lesion was located using a wire that’s left in place and protrudes from the breast (it guides the surgeon in the operating room). In the final analysis, all biopsies were benign, and Vaverka gained peace of mind along with a clean bill of health.
These days, things look a little different for patients in Vaverka’s situation. UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown has acquired new technology to replace the wire that protrudes from the breast. This new technology takes less time to implant and is far more comfortable for the patient. A small RFD (or Radiofrequency Identification) marker is placed wirelessly next to the area of concern. It can be placed weeks in advance of surgery day.
The RFD device is one of several upgrades UnityPoint Health – Marshalltown has made in the last three years. Just this year, the hospital introduced MRI with breast imaging for the first time, which came on the heels of new CT and ultrasound equipment the year before. In 2022, the department added new mammography technology, and the team added a nuclear medicine and breast specimen imager in 2022.
Vaverka’s journey reminded her that what she does is important – mammograms save lives. More importantly, it helped her appreciate and empathize with the nervous patients who come for care.
“When people get called back for additional imaging, I put myself in my patient’s shoes and tell them, ‘I’ve been where you’re at, and it’s going to be OK.’ I mean, I'm a pretty private person, but I probably tell this story a lot when I'm with patients – especially if they need a biopsy.”
“Honestly, after going through all that, I feel like I can give better care from being in that situation.”
“Sarah’s name is often mentioned in our patient surveys for her outstanding care,” says Shaybree Goshon, Clinical Manager of Imaging Services. “I do feel that Sarah going through this herself has deepened her connection with her patients. I also believe patients feel at ease knowing the person doing their exam has been through exactly what they are going through.”
Despite the clean bill of health, Vaverka is committed to getting all recommended screenings. For her, that’s an MRI and mammogram every year. As they often say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
“When you have somebody who is in health care, like me, we're not always the best patients, because you kind of know what to expect,” says Vaverka. “But I felt like my care exceeded my expectations. This team here knows what they’re doing, and everybody was so caring and wanted the best for me.
“And I know they treat everyone that way – like they’re family.”
