There's one doctor's appointment Ann Ferguson never likes to miss.

"All women need to have it done," said Ferguson.  "Whether you want to or not, it needs to be done."

Every year, right on schedule, Ferguson shows up at Bedford Memorial Hospital to get a mammogram.

"I chose Bedford for the convenience, because I live in Bedford," said Ferguson.

That choice is something many small towns don't have.

Bedford is unique for not only having its own full-service medical center, but also some of the latest technology.  This month the hospital introduced a new digital imaging device, specifically for mammograms.

"It's a state-of-the-art machine," said Lisa Jordan, imaging services manager for Bedford Memorial Hospital.  "It's the newest on the market."

The hospital's board of directors spent more than $300,000 on the equipment, a sizable portion of the facility's annual budget.

"It's a big deal and it's not cheap," said James Lynde, a radiologist who conducts mammograms at Bedford Memorial hospital.  "It took a lot of commitment from the board and we're really proud that we have it."

Lynde believes the new technology gives Bedford an advantage.

"Basically it's a service that we can do as well as any large hospital and it makes it convenient for the people of Bedford," Lynde said.

Hospital officials say convenience is important.  When it's easy for a woman to get a mammogram, she's more likely to get screened.

"We have a lot of elderly people in this community that sometimes don't want to travel all the way to Lynchburg or Roanoke," said Jordan.

Ferguson said she'd get an annual mammogram, regardless of how far she had to travel, but having the option close to home means a lot.

"They're doing everything that they can to make it easy for women who need these exams," said Ferguson.