(July 14, 2008) Saskatoon – Today Saskatoon’s third and the province’s fifth magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine arrived at St. Paul’s Hospital. Because of its size, the MRI was hoisted by a crane and moved into the second floor of the hospital through an opening in the east wall along Ave P South. This latest MRI system will be installed in the Irene and Leslie Dubé MRI Suite in the hospital’s Medical Imaging Department.
The MRI machine is scheduled to be completely installed and commissioned by August 22nd, 2008. The MRI system will then undergo rigorous quality control and safety testing to ensure optimum performance. The final applications training on this latest MRI technology is scheduled for the clinical staff (MRI Technologists and Radiologists) from September 8th – September 18th, 2008. Plans are to have the MRI ready for full patient care activity by the week of September 22nd, 2008. An official grand opening and media tour will take place in the fall of 2008.
Saskatoon Health Region will cover the operational expenses for the MRI and they have also provided funds for a portion of the installation and renovation to the suite at St. Paul’s. Funds to purchase the MRI machine were raised through the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation Embracing the Future campaign. The MRI suite was named in honour of Les and Irene Dubé who donated $1M towards it through a gift matching donation last fall.
The MRI is one of three priorities of the St. Paul’s Hospital Foundation Embracing the Future Campaign. This $8 million capital campaign will improve services at St. Paul’s by providing state-of-the-art equipment, facilities and treatment options to serve the increasing number of prostate, urology and other patients from across Saskatchewan. To date more than $7.1M has been raised towards the campaign.
-30-
For more information contact:
James Winkel
Corporate and Public Affairs Adviser
Saskatoon Health Region
306-655-3253
Saskatoon Health Region
“Healthiest people, healthiest communities, exceptional service.”
|
