There are more than 2,200 Pathologists in California. Less than 10% are Board Certified Cytopathologists. The accuracy of the FNA procedure when performed and interpreted by a Cytophathologist is above 95%. Board Certified Cytopathologist, Barbara Florentine, M.D., has performed more than 20,000 FNA procedures in her career at the University of Southern California Norris Cancer Center, Los Angeles County-University of Southern California and Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital. In 2000, she established the only free-standing Aspiration Biopsy Center in the Santa Clarita Valley. Dr. Florentine's background, not only as Cytopathologist, but as former registered nurse, has given her a strong desire to serve the community, its physicians and patients. Dr. Florentine currently performs more Cytopatholist FNA procedures than any other area facilities that offer the technique.

The Aspiration Biopsy Center at Henry Mayo offers FNA of palpable lumps and bumps found in breast, thyroid gland, salivary gland, lymph nodes and soft tissue. Fine Needle Aspiration services include:

	Same day appointments and preliminary diagnosis
	Same day preliminary diagnosis in many cases
	Saves patient and physician time
	Relieves patient anxiety
	Allows appropriate and expeditious triage of patient when the tissue diagnosis is positioned first in the patient work-up
	Conserves medical, technical and fiscal resources