Tina Clemmons
Clemmons, the president and founder of De Novo Scan, LLC, is giving Valley women options when it comes to taking control of their health with non-invasive thermography.
Where does your interest in the health field stem from?
My interest in the health field stems from being an overweight kid growing up. I had struggled with weight all the way through high school. By the time I was being nudged to start thinking about a major for college, I chose Dietetics and went on to become a registered dietician. I later became vice president in medical equipment financing and loved my job. When 2008 happened, everything in my corporate world changed. I wanted to do something more rewarding, which led me to thermography.
How is thermography technology and how is it impacting the medical realm?
Thermography has been around since the 1950’s. In 1982, it was FDA approved as an adjunct for breast cancer screening. It basically got pushed aside when mammography became the gold standard for breast screening. Thermography has been making its way back into the spotlight since I started De Novo Scan, LLC in 2012. Thermal imaging (thermography) uses an infrared camera that measures temperatures radiating from the body and converts those temperatures into color. Infection, inflammation and blood supply to a growing tumor will show up in the hotter colors such as white, red, orange, etc. There is zero radiation or compression used in thermal imaging. The camera never touches the body. Not only can thermography give you information about your breast health, but it can see lymphatic congestion, hormonal imbalance and periodontal infections that often get missed by dental X-rays. It is known that there is correlation between disease in the mouth and disease in the body.
What is the most rewarding part of your career?
I get to help women! And since partnering with breast cancer expert, nationally recognized board-certified breast surgeon, Dr. Christine Horner, MD, FACS, who interprets all of my scans, I’m giving these women the very best information they can get when it comes to thermal imaging, consultations on their health, diet and lifestyle as it pertains to breast health. Dr. Horner is a former breast surgeon specializing in breast reconstruction after mastectomies. She is also an author who wrote an incredible book, “Waking the Warrior Goddess,” on breast cancer prevention and on fighting it if you have it. Not only is being able to provide thermal imaging services to women rewarding, but to have Dr. Horner reading the scans and providing her expertise on breast health/breast cancer is icing on the cake.
What influence do you hope to have on the Valley?
I’d like for the community to know that thermography is an important, non-invasive breast (and health) screening tool and that when they come to De Novo Scan, they really are getting top-notch, professional service and information.
In what ways do you give back to the community?
While there are several companies that are reimbursing for thermography, not all insurance companies are yet on board for reimbursing so it’s an out-of-pocket expense that some can’t afford. I donate several breast scans throughout the year, and I always provide Breast Cancer Awareness Month specials to help those who can’t afford these scans.
