SHELTON, WA – Member hospitals of the Rural Collaborative have launched the second year of their Breast Cancer Screening Campaign with renewed enthusiasm and a shared goal: to ensure more women in rural Washington receive life-saving breast cancer screenings. After surpassing last year’s target of a 56 percent overall screening rate, members are setting their sights even higher for 2025 — aiming to reach 60 percent participation across the network.

Member hospitals are embracing creative solutions to reach women in their communities — this year, Mason Health re-launched for the first time post-COVID-pandemic, a free Women’s Health event in September, in partnership with the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund. Through outreach efforts, Mason Health provided free mammograms and cancer screening services to 14 women in September. 

“Mason Health is deeply committed to empowering the women in our community through regular breast cancer screening,” said Chief Medical Officer Darren Cuevas. “Together with the Rural Collaborative, we are working to raise awareness, break down barriers, and ensure every woman understands the lifesaving impact of mammography. We are grateful for this partnership as we strive to reach and support as many women in Mason County as possible.”

As with all Rural Collaborative initiatives, the power lies in working together. Members will continue their local outreach through December, and the Collaborative will celebrate their accomplishments at a recognition event in March 2026.

“As a rural, public hospital district, we are able to multiply the impact in our local community by joining the collective efforts of similar hospitals across the state,” said Mason Health Chief Development & Communication Officer Jennifer Capps. “Rural hospitals have unique challenges, but also unique opportunities.” 

The Collaborative is a powerful network of independent rural health systems in Washington state where interdependence drives innovation and value. Members exchange ideas, share best practices, and support one another to deliver high-quality care in challenging environments. Our programs generate meaningful financial benefits, resulting in shared savings and reduced operational costs. Backed by a dedicated staff, TRC members continue to learn from one another, solve problems together, and lead the way in rural healthcare excellence. Year after year, our work proves that collaboration is not only practical, but powerful. 

To learn more about the Rural Collaborative, please visit our website at https://ruralcollaborative.com. 

Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County is ISO 9001 Quality Management System certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. The Board of Hospital District Commissioners are Don Welander, President, Darrin Moody, Secretary, and Lori Brady, Trustee. Mason General Hospital and Mason Clinic are ENERGY STAR® certified and Mason Health is the recipient of one Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Award, three Partner for Change Awards, two Greening the Operating Room Awards, the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award and the 2025 Emerald Award. To learn more about Mason Health’s sustainability efforts, visit https://www.masonhealth.com/about/sustainability-environmental-stewardship. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. For more information or to find a health care provider, visit www.masonhealth.com. To learn more about DNV, visit www.dnv.com/healthcare.

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