Georgian Bay General Hospital breaks ground on MRI addition
Photo: Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) celebrated the groundbreaking on its new MRI expansion which is anticipated to open in early 2025. The expansion off the hospital’s existing Diagnostic Imaging department will accommodate GBGH’s first MRI which will enhance overall patient experience by accessing care close to home and reduce wait times. From left – Karen Redpath, director, Clinical Services, GBGH; Nicole Kraftscik, CEO, GBGH Foundation; Dr. Vikram Ralhan, chief of Staff, GBGH; Matthew Lawson, president and CEO, GBGH; Honourable Jill Dunlop – minister of Colleges and Universities and MPP Simcoe North; Liane Netherton, medical radiation technologist, GBGH; Erin Kominek, manager, Diagnostic Imaging, Cardiorespiratory and Laboratory, GBGH; Melissa Rawlek, medical radiation technologist, GBGH; Allison Cramp, charge technologist, GBGH; Dr. Nick Lougheed, chief, Diagnostic Imaging, GBGH; and Tim Kastelic, chair, GBGH Board of Directors.
June 18, 2024 – Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) is proud to announce the commencement of construction on its highly anticipated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) addition, marking a significant milestone in enhancing healthcare services for the communities it serves. GBGH’s MRI will enhance overall patient experience and reduce wait times, improving health outcomes for individuals across the area GBGH serves.
“I am thrilled to share in this announcement and the ground-breaking of the MRI facility at GBGH today,” says the Honourable Jill Dunlop, minister of Colleges and Universities and MPP Simcoe North. “This achievement is the result of dedicated efforts and collaboration between various stakeholders. Our government has worked tirelessly to secure the necessary funding and approvals to make this project a reality, and by investing in advanced medical technology and infrastructure, we are ensuring that our healthcare system can meet the growing needs of our population. I want to thank everyone involved, including the hospital administration, healthcare professionals, and community advocates, for their unwavering commitment and support. This new MRI facility will not only improve patient outcomes but also support our healthcare providers in delivering the best possible care.”
With a total investment of $8 million, this groundbreaking project underscores GBGH’s commitment to providing more diagnostic imaging services closer to home. The new MRI addition will help reduce wait times – both locally and across the region as GBGH’s local patients will not be on MRI waitlists at facilities in Barrie or Orillia.
Matthew Lawson, president and CEO of GBGH, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “The commencement of construction on our new MRI addition marks a crucial step forward in our strategy to grow our services at GBGH to align with current and future needs of our community. This state-of-the-art facility will not only improve patient care by providing an important diagnostic procedure, but also enables us to meet the growing demand for diagnostic imaging services across the region due to population growth and our aging population.”
The event was held at GBGH today with many GBGH team members, community partners and donors in attendance to mark the special day. The GBGH Foundation has been fundraising for the MRI over the past 18 months with the goal of raising $4 million toward the project. The fundraising tally currently sits at $2.3 million.
The MRI addition represents a collaborative effort between GBGH and its surrounding communities. Nicole Kraftscik, CEO of the GBGH Foundation, emphasized the importance of community support in realizing this vision. “It is so exciting to see construction starting on the new MRI addition. Our community has been incredibly generous over the past year, and we would not be moving forward today without their investment. We are immensely grateful to the individuals, businesses and organizations who have contributed, and we continue to work with the community to reach our fundraising goal.”
The hospital looks forward to the completion of construction and performing its first MRI in early 2025.
For more information about the MRI addition project or to make a donation, please visit: https://gbghf.ca/current-needs/mri/
Contact:
Derek Desroches
Communications Specialist
Georgian Bay General Hospital
705-526-1300 ext. 5016