The Alexandra Marine and General Hospital Foundation’s Magnetic Moments campaign is celebrating another exciting milestone in bringing the first MRI to Huron County. Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) has officially signed the purchase agreement with Siemens Healthineers Canada for the MRI machine, bringing the region one step closer to having this important diagnostic technology closer to home.The selected 1.5T MAGNETOM Flow Elite MRI system features advanced technology designed to enhance the experience for patients, staff and physicians. Key features include:• For patients, the MRI features help them get comfortable and prepared for their scan, while the machine is designed for quieter operation.• For staff, many of the steps involved in setting up and completing a scan can be done right at the patient’s side, making the process more efficient and giving technologists more time to focus on the patient in front of them.• Built-in technology and AI can also help guide staff through scans and automate some of the routine steps, helping produce clear, detailed images more quickly and consistently.• On the sustainability side, the system uses very little helium compared with traditional MRI machines. This will be one of the first machines of its kind in Ontario to use a helium independent system.“This is a significant investment in the future of our hospital and the care we provide,” said Jimmy Trieu, President & CEO of Huron Health System. “It will help us attract and retain healthcare professionals, and, most importantly, mean more patients can receive the care they need closer to home. We are incredibly grateful to members of the AMGH Foundation for their hard work in leading this campaign, and to everyone who has supported it and helped make this possible. We look forward to working with the team at Siemens Healthineers Canada as we take this exciting next step toward bringing this incredible technology to Huron County.”The purchase follows months of planning to determine the right MRI technology and understand the space, workflow and operational requirements needed to bring these services to AMGH. The hospital also worked closely with Mohawk Medbuy Corporation throughout the procurement process, drawing on its healthcare procurement expertise to evaluate the available options and support the purchase. The next phase will focus on issuing the RFP for construction with the goal of breaking ground in the fall of 2027.“Working alongside the AMGH team throughout this process, we have seen firsthand the commitment and vision behind this project,” said Richard Newman, Director of Sales, Central Region, Siemens Healthineers Canada. “Selecting the right MRI solution is about more than technology; it is about creating a sustainable service that will meet the needs of patients and healthcare professionals for years to come. We look forward to continuing our partnership as this transformative project comes to life.”“We are proud to partner with Alexandra Marine and General Hospital on this important investment for Huron County. The MAGNETOM Flow Elite will help expand access to high-quality diagnostic imaging, bringing patients closer to the care they need, right in their community,” said René Boyer, Country Head, Diagnostic Imaging & Advanced Therapies, Siemens Healthineers Canada.The Magnetic Moments Campaign has now reached $5.8 million, bringing the campaign very close to its original $6.5 million goal. As the campaign reaches this important milestone, fundraising efforts will continue to build on this momentum and strengthen the financial foundation for the project.While the MRI purchase has been secured, there are still important phases of the project ahead. Construction costs, tariffs, fuel costs and other project expenses can change as planning progresses. Continued fundraising will help provide a financial buffer for unforeseen costs and ensure the project is well positioned as it moves forward.“Rural populations in Canada deserve the same access to care as urban populations do and this is what bringing the latest medical imaging technology to the Alexandra Marine & General Hospital is all about,” says Dr. Tiffaney Kittmer, chair of the Magnetic Moments campaign. "We want to give huge thanks to the community for their enthusiastic support to ensure that easier, faster access to state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging is within reach.”If you have been waiting for the right moment to support the Magnetic Moments campaign, this is it. For more information visit: www.magneticmoments.amghfoundation.ca.
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