When patients walk through the doors of West Tennessee Healthcare–Camden Hospital,
they often know they will see a doctor, nurse, or therapist. What many may not realize is
that some of the most important answers about their health come from behind the scenes
in the Diagnostic Department.
Leading that effort is Lisa Dooley, Manager of Radiology and the Sleep Lab. A veteran of
West Tennessee Healthcare for 30 years, Lisa has spent the last 18 years serving Benton
County and surrounding communities. Alongside a dedicated team of eight employees,
she helps provide the images and diagnostic information physicians rely on every day to
make life-changing medical decisions.
The terms diagnostic, radiology, and imaging are often used interchangeably, but each
plays a unique role in patient care. Diagnostics refers to the tools used to identify what
may be causing illness. Radiology uses medical images to diagnose and sometimes treat
disease. Imaging refers to the technology itself, the machines that create those images,
such as X-rays, CT scanners, ultrasounds, mammography equipment, and MRI units.
“We provide X-ray imaging, CT scans, MRI scans, DXA scans for bone density, ultrasound,
echocardiograms, mammograms, and digital 3D mammograms,” Lisa explains. “We also
offer a mobile MRI unit here on Mondays to serve outpatient MRI needs. We know gas is
expensive, and it can be difficult for patients to travel to Jackson or elsewhere. Being able
to provide that service close to home makes a big difference.”
For residents of Benton County and neighboring communities, access to advanced
imaging services without leaving the area is more than a convenience; it can be a critical
part of receiving timely care.
Whether a patient is experiencing lingering flu symptoms, chest pain, a possible fracture,
or concerns about a more serious condition, imaging often provides the first clear answers.
A chest X-ray can help identify pneumonia, while CT scans can reveal everything from
kidney stones to brain bleeds and aortic aneurysms. Portable X-ray equipment even allows
emergency room patients to receive imaging without leaving their bedside.
The department also plays a vital role in women’s health. Expectant mothers can receive
ultrasounds, while mammograms and advanced 3D mammograms help detect breast
abnormalities earlier and with greater detail.
“Often, if additional imaging is needed, we can perform a breast ultrasound the same day,”
says Lisa. “Patients don’t have to schedule another appointment and come back later. We
can take care of both needs at once.”
And while mammograms are often associated with women, men can benefit from the
technology as well. The department also offers DXA scans to help identify osteoporosis
risk before the condition progresses.
“If we catch it early,” Lisa explains, “we can start treatment that helps prevent it from
getting worse.”
Cardiologists throughout the region also rely on WTH-Camden Hospital’s imaging services.
Echocardiograms provide detailed images of the heart, allowing specialists to evaluate
heart function and make informed treatment decisions.
While the technology is impressive, Lisa believes the department’s greatest strength is its
people.
“I think what sets us apart is that our patients know us,” she says. “We’ve received surveys
that talk about how kind our staff is and how we treat patients like family. I won’t hire
anyone who doesn’t share that mindset.”
That commitment to compassionate care has earned the trust of both patients and
providers throughout Benton, Carroll, Humphreys counties and surrounding communities.
“I want providers to know that when they send patients to us, we’ll take care of them from
start to finish,” Lisa says. “The providers in this area trust us, and I work hard to get patients
scheduled as quickly as possible.”
As healthcare continues to evolve, imaging remains one of the most important tools in
modern medicine. Early detection can dramatically improve outcomes, whether it’s
identifying breast cancer, diagnosing a kidney stone before complications develop, or
helping physicians determine the best course of treatment.
“Without imaging, doctors would be making educated guesses,” Lisa says. “We help
determine the diagnosis and treatment plan. Radiology and imaging truly are the eyes of
medicine.”
For Lisa and her team, every image tells a story, and sometimes, it tells the story early
enough to change a life. Thanks to the advanced technology, compassionate staff, and
commitment to serving local communities, patients don’t have to travel far to find
answers. Those answers are right here at home, helping physicians see more clearly;
patients heal more confidently, and families rest a little easier.
Most imaging procedures require insurance preauthorization, and most costs are covered
by insurance plans. Annual screening mammograms do not require preapproval, and DXA
bone density scans are typically performed every two years without pre-authorization.
For more information about imaging services at WTH-Camden Hospital, residents of
Benton, Carroll, and Humphreys Counties can contact the Radiology Department at (731)
593-6300. Staff members are available to answer questions, explain available services,
and help patients take the next step toward better health.
