Dr. Monique Jones, the new Chair of OB/GYN at Northwell Health’s Long Island Jewish Forest Hills Hospital and a St. Albans native, is leading a free breast cancer screening event: “Early Detection Starts With 1 Simple Step” at MacDonald Park in Forest Hills from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, October 25.

Women from the community can receive private, physician-performed clinical breast exams at no cost, regardless of insurance status. No appointment is required. At least two physicians, including Dr. Jones, will be participating, along with nursing and healthcare staff. Translation services will also be available.

The exams will take place inside a Northwell mobile health unit with two private examination spaces. If physicians identify something suspicious, patients can be referred to Northwell Health’s Cancer Institute for follow-up care.

“I grew up in St. Albans, Queens, so coming home to provide care to women in this community is incredibly meaningful to me,” Dr. Jones said.

She has traveled to the island nation of Jamaica four times as part of medical outreach efforts, including work with organizations such as Northwell Health’s Center for Global Health.

During those trips, she has worked alongside teams of Northwell physicians and healthcare professionals providing gynecological surgeries to women who lacked health insurance or could not afford procedures they needed.

“Throughout my career, I’ve seen how lack of insurance, cost and other barriers can impact a woman’s health. We want to remove those barriers,” she said. “We’re bringing care directly into the community so women can receive a private breast exam, have their questions answered and, if something concerning is found, be connected to the care they need. My hope is that every woman who walks through our doors leaves knowing that her health matters and that help is available.”

McDonald Park is located at 87-20 Queens Blvd. in Forest Hills.

Senior Reporter. Reach me at bparry@schnepsmedia.com

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