A new MRI unit is up and running at Erie Shores HealthCare.
The hospital completed its first test on its mobile unit on Thursday.
The mobile unit will operate eight hours a day, five days a week until the permanent MRI suite is completed at the end of 2024.
"This is a pivotal moment for Erie Shores HealthCare and our community," said Kristin Kennedy, President and CEO of ESHC. "The mobile MRI unit allows us to address the immediate needs of our patients, reducing wait times and improving access to critical diagnostic services right here at home."
Fundraising efforts for the new MRI suite are still underway. To date, half of the $5 million goal has been raised.
A large portion of that, $1-million, was donated by Unico and Primo Foods.
The support from our community has been overwhelming," said Penny Bellhouse, Executive Director of the Erie Shores Health Foundation. "We are immensely grateful for the contributions that have brought this much-needed service to our hospital and look forward to continued support as we work towards our goal."
Right now, low acuity patients can wait up to 18 months to get an MRI locally.