April 26, 2012 | Scion Co-Sponsors Cassi II™ Breast Biopsy Device Ultrasound Training for Chinese Physicians

During the week of Monday, April 30 – Saturday, May 5, 2012, seven physicians from China will train with internationally distinguished interventional radiologist Ken Tomkovich, MD, director of breast imaging and interventional radiology at CentraState Medical Center and affiliated with Freehold Radiology Group. The training will cover the latest imaging and interventional radiology procedures for diagnosing breast cancer, including ultrasound training for Scion’s Cassi II™ breast biopsy device. The training program at CentraState is funded by a grant through CentraState Healthcare Foundation and, in part, by sponsorship from Scion Medical Technologies.

“This is a great opportunity to share what we’re doing here to diagnose breast cancer sooner. I’m excited to help bring the specialized techniques we’re using that detect smaller and smaller breast cancers at curable stages to China and other parts of the world, and ultimately save more lives,” said Dr. Tomkovich.

The group of physicians is led by Gao-Jun Teng, MD, PhD, dean of the Medical School of Southeast University in Nanjing, and professor of Radiology and chair, Department of Radiology, Zhong-Da Hospital of Southeast University. Dr. Teng also is the vice president and incoming president of the Chinese Society of Radiology and immediate past president of the Chinese Society of Interventional Radiology. This is the first time the physicians will train in the U.S. for comprehensive breast imaging and interventions, with a vision to further develop a standardized breast imaging program in China. More physicians from China are planning to train at CentraState over the next few years.

Dr. Tomkovich came to the attention of the medical community in China through his publications and a textbook chapter for interventional radiologists and surgeons. One of the first comprehensive women’s center offering breast medical imaging and interventional procedures was developed in China as a direct result of Dr. Tomkovich’s published work on the specialty. In 2010, Dr. Tomkovich was invited to speak in China at the Medical School of Southeast University, and The Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University in Guangzhou. He also gave a lecture on breast imaging and interventions as the invited guest speaker at the Chinese Society of Interventional Radiology in Guangzhou. In addition, Dr. Tomkovich was an invited guest speaker at the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) annual congress in Munich, Germany this past fall on the topic of breast cancer and breast interventions.

About Scion Medical Technologies
Scion Medical Technologies (Scion) is a global medical device company with US headquarters in Massachusetts. Scion has manufacturing, distribution and regulatory expertise in the US and China, and is actively looking to grow its product portfolio by acquiring and licensing medical devices that have received 510(k) clearance or premarket approval from the FDA, or are CE-Marked.

About CentraState Healthcare System
CentraState Healthcare System is a non-profit community health organization consisting of an acute-care hospital, a health and wellness campus, three senior living communities, a Family Medicine Residency Program, and a charitable foundation. CentraState’s teaching program is sponsored by UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School.