The Pinoy Strayan visited with Dr Maria Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito and husband, Glenn, at the Women’s & Breast Imaging Centre in Cottesloe on a pleasant March morning. The clinic doors opened for the day just as we were walking up the front garden at 7:45am. Before the staff meeting at 8am which he was to preside, there was time for Glenn to give us an orientation tour of the facilities before presiding the meeting. As the staff meeting was ongoing, we had the opportunity to take photos and do some more exploring. We then sat around at the Reception to absorb the atmosphere of the place. Women’s & Breast Imaging couches their service on ‘Caring Commitment to Women’s Health’. Locating the practice inside this cosy character home certainly delivers the message on first instance. Any visitor would feel at home rather than in a clinic.
Established in the early 1980s, WBI has had more than 30 years of experience and recognition as a leading provider of diagnostic imaging for women. Vanessa first worked here in 2013 as a locum radiologist. Unbeknownst to Vanessa at that time, one of the present director was planning to retire from the business and was looking to bequeath the practice to the suitable party. They found in Vanessa not only the desired capability but, more importantly, the passion and dedication for the profession. The following year, Dr Peter Goodwin and John Hogg (previous owners) offered Vanessa and Glenn the option to buy into the business. The Hipolitos prayed for guidance. After working out the algorithms, with the assurance that Glenn will run the administrative and business side of the equation, Vanessa was confident she can focus on the service. They decided to accept the challenge. The opportunity to own and operate the private practice was a fitting crown to Vanessa’s professional journey.
Dr Maria Vanessa Atienza- Hipolito obtained her medical degree in The Philippines at De La Salle Health Sciences Institute, after which she worked to gain radiology experience at The Medical City in Pasig City. In 2005, Vanessa came to Australia under a fellowship grant for vascular and interventional radiology training with Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.
Glenn and Vanessa married in 2005, and has been blessed with 2 children — Alessandro, 10 and Zoe, 6.
Whilst work for Glenn has been seamless, the new migrant young doctor Vanessa went through gaps in the pursuit of her profession. Despite the background and a fellowship experience at a Perth institution, Vanessa had needed to consolidate her exposure in her field of specialisation. She soon was given the opportunity to reapply her skills as interventionist performing imaging for vascular and nonvascular procedures. There was no looking back from there.
Presently, Dr Vanessa frontlines the Women’s & Breast Imaging practice as the Principal Consultant Radiologist, together with Dr Peter Goodwin. They are supported by a full complement of sonographers and radiographers. From 2013-2017, she was the visiting specialist breast radiologist for BreastScreenWA Bunbury which she pioneered to serve women from South West regional WA.
However, other priorities may soon preclude Vanessa from the weekly out-of-town travels. The growing needs and schedules of the children take primary consideration for the Hipolitos. Glenn and Vanessa likewise have commitments in the service of the community through their church music ministry. Glenn is choirmaster for the San Lorenzo Ruiz Choir of Notre Dame, which he co-founded with Father Nelson Po, and the St Cecilia Choir No 2 of St Cecilia Church in Floreat, co-founded by Fr Andrew Albis, of which Vanessa is one of the lead sopranos for both choirs. Following in their parents’ footsteps, both Alessandro and Zoe are now part of the Saint Cecilia Children’s Choir of Floreat as well.
Sporting activities are Vanessa’s other passion, related to her advocacies. In August 2016, she ran the full 42-km HBF City-to-Surf marathon to raise funds for LadyBird Foundation, in support of their breast and gynaecologic cancer research in WA.
Ultimately, in terms of the economy of time, Dr Vanessa wants to ensure that the stability of her flagship Women’s & Breast Imaging is not compromised, and that the practice is able to effectively deliver serve the requirements of the clients and the industry, according to its mission and vision.
Women’s & Breast Imaging basically follows pathways considering what they perceive to be the needs of the times. A good way to appreciate the services offered by WBI is to start with the facts that dictate government policy statements.
According to Cancer Australia, the lead national cancer control agency, breast cancer is estimated to be the most commonly diagnosed cancer in 2017 in Australia, with 17,586 women affected.
Providing advice on the Government’s strategic focus on early detection and prevention, Cancer Australia recommends that women of all ages be generally breast-aware and do self-check regularly. It is further recommended that women particularly aged 50-74 years attend the program for mammographic screening offered through BreastScreen Australia, every two years, for free.
Women aged 40–49 years and those over 75 years are also eligible to receive free screening mammograms, Mammographic screening is not being recommended for women younger than 40 years of age. For women of all ages who are at increased risk of developing breast cancer (those who have a family history of breast and ovarian cancer), it is recommended that an individualised surveillance program be developed in consultation with their GP or a specialist.
The significant takeout from the policy statement of Cancer Australia is that population-based screening using mammography is the best early detection method available to reduce deaths from breast cancer, as evidenced by results of a study on women aged 50–69 years. The study also indicated that there is a factor that could affect mammography and yield inconclusive results: breast density.
Information brochures on breast density were readily available at WBI for clients and visitors to read through and take out for better awareness. Obviously, WBI has taken its service several notches higher. We learned that WBI was the first in Australia to offer Advanced Breast Density Measurement service to women, to improve early detection of cancer. The clinic was the first to use the software Volpara, a volumetric breast density measurement tool. For women with high breast density, supplementary screening, such as ultrasound, can substantially improve cancer detection.
WBI also features 3D Mammography technology (Breast Tomosynthesis) in its innovative approach to improve the early detection of breast cancer among its clients.
This all goes to demonstrate, as Dr Vanessa stressed during her conversation with us, that WBI is fully committed to the highest level of clinical excellence and accuracy possible.
Equally important is WBI’s focus on the care and the comfort of patients who come to the Practice. As we have earlier observed, the clinical premises lends itself well to assuring the visitor they have come to the a good place. One then observes that all attending staff are female, to help make patients feel more at ease. The state-of-the-technology equipment impresses and encourages confidence. With the highly qualified leadership and their years of combined experience, there is no reason why every woman of any age should have any qualms that they should attend a breast screening/diagnostic appointment at WBI in Cottesloe. #WWW.BREASTIMAGING.COM.AU #WWW.WBI.NET.AU
Dr Vanessa will be happiest if more women from the Filipino migrant community would be properly informed about breast care and women’s health. Dr Vanessa is available for invitation to information and orientation forums on breast awareness and cancer prevention. The Filipino community in WA can feel proud to have one like Dr Vanessa Atienza-Hipolito, whose passion for her profession is inspiring. #TPS
Women’s & Breast Imaging: Women’s & Breast Imaging
When it comes to seeing a doctor for whatever reason, most women will avoid going to hospitals and super clinics if they can help it. Something of the ‘personal’ seems to get lost in the interaction in the hustle-bustle environment. One’s feeling of vulnerability is heightened. The degree of unease increases in the case of more delicate conditions, such as a breast examination.
It will give women in Perth great relief to find the Women’s & Breast Imaging practice, accessible and conveniently located in the beach suburb of Cottesloe in a cosy character house on the quiet bend of Forrest Street. If there is such a thing as feeling ‘at home’ in a medical clinic, this quite delightfully fits the bill.
The welcoming reception and the solicitous staff (all technical and reception staff at WBI are women) signal a comfortable consultation experience. The immaculately clean examination rooms and well-ordered clinical supplies assure the patient that nothing will be taken for granted. The state-of-the-technology line of equipment, set in beautifully interior-designed, high ceilinged rooms, come across as patient-friendly rather than daunting. Yet, they point to the highest standards of efficiency in diagnostic outcomes that may be expected.
WBI enjoys a long history of continued service in the industry, headed by a team of dedicated practitioners with a track record of professional expertise and experience.
Freecall 1800 632 766
P (08) 9383 2799 F (08) 9384 7011
E office@wbi.net.au
www.wbi.net.au
103 Forrest Street, Cottesloe WA 6011
