Latest news with #CherylHarrison
Hamilton Spectator
6 days ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Huntsville District Memorial Hospital opens doors to advanced health care with new MRI suite
After three years of fundraising and construction, Huntsville District Memorial Hospital celebrated the opening of its new magnetic resonance imaging suite. The MRI machine, which arrived in May from Germany, went through a round of testing and diagnostics before the hospital had its first scan only hours before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, according to the hospital. Cheryl Harrison, the president and CEO of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC), said the process of bringing the machine to Huntsville began nearly 10 years ago with an application to the provincial government for a licence. Now, after the fundraiser that raised $10 million and nine months of construction, the machine is in a new MRI suite, a 3,700-square foot addition behind the hospital's emergency department, according to A MAHC news release . The new service will save patients more than 7,000 hours and 700,000 kilometres of travel annually, according to Harrison. The hospital estimates there will be 5,000 MRI scans completed in Huntsville ever year. Health-care practitioners can begin to provide referrals for breast, musculoskeletal, neuro (brain and spine), pelvic and abdominal and prostate scans. 'From a practising doctor's perspective, a family doctor that wants to make sure that he (or her) is doing the best for their patient, it's really important to have that diagnostic tool available,' said Harrison. So far, feedback from the hospital's radiologists and physicians has been positive, according to Harrison. She said the hospital's radiologists and physicians were advocates for the machine as well. Harrison said having the MRI allows medical practitioners to catch illnesses and problems early and provide treatment without delay. Among the donors, the radiologists of the hospital pledged $250,000 in fundraising efforts. Hospital officials said there were 2,460 donations made for the machine and suite from private residents, businesses and community groups from all across Ontario, including South River, Orillia, Haliburton and Parry Sound. 'I have a very clear recollection of my two-year-old son in an MRI in Toronto being treated for cancer. He's fine. He's now a healthy 37-year-old and we're so thankful for that,' said Mike Harrower, former chair of the foundation and one of the donors for the new MRI machine. 'Critical imaging ability here is so important for patient health care.' He said the MRI suite 'cements the fact that our hospital's here and it's going to stay here. It's just essential for the future of health care in Huntsville.' Alongside the decreased travel time, Harrison hopes the addition to the hospital will be an opportunity to recruit new medical practitioners such as physicians, nurse practitioners and primary care providers. Now, the hospital will turn its attention to updating and redeveloping both hospital sites in Huntsville and Bracebridge, said Harrison. Henna Bhavsar is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Huntsville and Lake of Bays for . The Local Journalism Initiative is funded by the government of Canada. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
07-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
New MRI now operating at Huntsville hospital, bringing scans closer to home
The first patient to be scanned with the new MRI machine, Ben Osorio (R), with MRI Technologist Muhammad Tajammul on Mon., July 7, 2025. Huntsville District Memorial Hospital marked a major milestone with the official opening of its new MRI suite. The opening was celebrated on Monday by hospital staff, donors, dignitaries and community members. It's a significant moment for local health care, officials stated, marking the end of a five-year journey and a $10 million fundraising campaign led by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. "'I am so happy that Muskoka is among the first of the 49 new MRI machines the Ontario government is adding across the province, alongside our District Stroke Centre in Huntsville,' noted Cheryl Harrison, President and CEO at Muskoka Algonquin HealthCare (MAHC). Harrison said the MRI would reduce wait times, improve patient outcomes, and support local care. 'No more long drives out of the region. No more delays in diagnosis. This MRI is changing the game,' Harrison added. Until now, patients had to drive to Orillia, Barrie or beyond to have an MRI scan. The new machine will perform roughly 5,000 scans per year, which is expected to save patients over 700,000 kilometres of travel and more than 7,000 hours of driving.
