Over the past eight months, construction progress has steadily continued at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital (HDMH) site, with several key milestones achieved.

After breaking ground last July, some of 2024’s project milestones included site preparation, including significant excavation, followed by pouring of the foundation and flooring. By year’s end, the construction of the super structure and roof was completed.

In January, exterior siding was in place and interior framing had started. Through February, rough-ins of the electrical, mechanical and plumbing were completed and a major planned power outage facilitated connecting the MRI addition to the hospital’s power supply. In March, the MRI cabin room was constructed and radio frequency shielding installed. Meanwhile, drywall in other parts of the MRI Suite was ongoing, as well as flooring, ceilings and painting. Chillers were delivered and installed in April with other ongoing mechanical work, and various furniture needs ordered.

The planning team is preparing for another major milestone with the arrival of the magnet on May 6, and the commencement of staff training. Next steps in construction include IT network cabling, air handler and sprinkler installations, and installation of millwork and other fixtures. Commissioning and testing of the MRI machine is the last phase of work, occurring in June.

MAHC President & CEO Cheryl Harrison and Huntsville Hospital Foundation CEO Katherine Craine went inside the construction site earlier this month for a sneak peek at what’s been going on behind the construction fence. Watch the video on our YouTube channel.

“The MRI addition is more than just bricks and mortar — it’s a powerful step forward in patient care,” says Harrison. “With faster diagnostics, earlier detection, and more comprehensive treatment planning, the new MRI service will bring life-changing benefits to patients across the communities we serve in Muskoka and Almaguin. It’s not just progress — it’s personal.”

As a result of the new MRI service coming on stream, new MRI Technologists have been introduced to the MAHC team, and staffing in other areas such as scheduling and registration, environmental services and diagnostic imaging aides has expanded.

Once opened with patient services this summer, the new local MRI service in Muskoka is estimated to save over 7,000 hours behind the wheel for patients, and spare more than 700,000 kilometres of travel to hospitals outside of our region for an MRI. At maturity, Muskoka and area’s MRI service will complete 5,000 MRI scans locally every year.

The MRI project has not been possible without the incredible support of donors from South River to Orillia and Haliburton to Parry Sound through the Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Focus on Imaging campaign.

The HDMH Site at MAHC has been a designated District Stroke Centre since 2006 and is currently the only regional stroke program without an MRI under its roof to perform essential studies for patients presenting with critically time-sensitive neurological conditions.

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 By December 2024, more than $3-million had been raised, but it was a special matching gift from FDC Foundation that provided the final $1-million impact.  The private family foundation, based in Mississauga, matched all donations to the MRI Fund up to a total of $550,000.  

“The support from the community for the MRI project has been truly inspiring, with more than 1,800 individuals, businesses and organizations making a donation,” says Nicole Kraftscik, CEO, GBGH Foundation. “We are incredibly grateful for every single gift, and especially to FDC Foundation for helping us achieve the goal in time for the completion of the new MRI suite later this month.” 

Construction of the new MRI suite began in June 2024, and is expected to be completed by the end of March 2025. The addition to the hospital is a 2,500 square foot space that connects to the existing diagnostic imaging department, and incorporates the MRI, control area, separate waiting room, radiology office and staff breakroom. 

“Our community is in desperate need of MRI services, with nearly 4,000 individuals having to travel to Barrie, Orillia and beyond each year,” says Mathew Lawson, president & CEO, GBGH. “That is why we have been pushing so hard to have the MRI up and running as quickly as possible. Adding this program at GBGH is going to reduce wait times across the region, and provide our patients with care close to home.”  

Referrals from physicians for MRI services are already being accepted at GBGH (by fax and email), in anticipation of the opening of the department at the end of March. More information can be found on the GBGH website: https://gbgh.on.ca/programs-and-services/diagnostic-imaging/

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“My family has been cottagers here for over 20 years and we all see Huntsville Hospital as our hospital – we’ve needed it often enough to know that as fact,” says Mrs. Coleman. “This donation is our thank-you. The $50,000 match is a challenge to everyone in the area. Having MRI and advanced diagnostic imaging close by is critical to everyone’s health.”

Initially, the MRI service will provide approximately 3,000 exams per year for the community with potential to expand over time. Having local access speeds diagnosis and treatment accuracy while reducing wait times, travel and financial implications for local residents who will no longer have to go elsewhere for an MRI.

“The Huntsville Hospital Foundation has been raising funds to update our local diagnostic imaging capacity for over two years,” says Foundation CEO, Katherine Craine. “To date, we’ve raised $7.5 million of our $10 million goal. Paula Coleman’s gift and challenge to inspire even more gifts is amazing support when and where we need it most. I know our team and the entire Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare team are beyond grateful.”

Mrs. Coleman’s $50,000 challenge will match dollar for dollar every gift by any local or seasonal resident, local business or organization. The total fundraising potential connected to her effort could reach $350,000 supporting the MRI.

“I’m asking everyone to step up for access to local MRI services,” concludes Mrs. Coleman. “Our healthcare providers give us their best every day – the least we can do for them is match their passion and commitment.”

The $10 million Focus on Imaging campaign started in August of 2021 to help Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare replace or update aging X-ray equipment, ultrasound machines and CT Scanner, echocardiography and mammography technology, and Muskoka’s first MRI.

To learn more and to make a donation, please call 705-789-4756 or visit: huntsvillehospitalfoundation.ca/mri

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Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie—Springwater—Oro-Medonte, along with Barrie—Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin, announced today the Ontario government is providing an additional $800,000 in annual operational funding, enabling RVH to run a third, much-needed MRI.

“RVH, along with our partner hospitals in Midland, Collingwood, and Muskoka, are among 27 hospitals in Ontario to have received operational funding for an MRI. This commitment to further supporting healthcare in our region ensures patients across Simcoe Muskoka have enhanced access to diagnostic imaging and will relieve pressure on the healthcare system as a whole,” says Gail Hunt, RVH president and CEO.

RVH provides 70 per cent of the total MRI scans in the region. There are currently more than 7,300 people on the wait list – 470 of them are cancer-related patients.

“This funding will help hospitals, like RVH, address the backlog of patients requiring imaging services that accumulated during the pandemic,” says Doug Downey, MPP for Barrie – Springwater – Oro-Medonte. “Having accessible state-of-the-art healthcare in our community is of vital importance to residents. This funding will also ensure patients can be seen in a timely manner to help best serve their medical needs.”

“Having healthcare services close to home is a game changer,” says Andrea Khanjin, MPP for Barrie-Innisfil. “Having more diagnostic scan capacity at RVH means that we can save patients and their family’s precious time. They can get the scans they need locally, spending less time on the road and more time with their loved ones. This will bring peace of mind and better health outcomes for the people in our community.”

The new MRI machine will be purchased through funds raised by RVH Foundation and it is hoped it will be onsite and operational within the next 24 months.

“Our region will continue to experience rapid population growth over the next decade, putting additional strain on our current resources,” says Dr. Raj Grover, RVH Medical Director of Medical Imaging. “Today’s announcement is exactly what the doctor ordered. A third MRI will allow our Medical Imaging Department to expand services, reduce wait times, and provide optimal timely patient care for the most complex and urgent cases for patients now, and in the future.”

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The announcement was made today in Huntsville by Parry Sound-Muskoka MPP Graydon Smith following Ontario government news of a $20 million investment to expand MRI services across the province to increase access to care for patients and reduce wait times.

“The provincial government continues to demonstrate its commitment to expanding accessibility to critical health services in Parry Sound-Muskoka,” says Smith. “Residents of our area have long deserved an MRI machine and I’m thrilled that we’re able to make it happen.”

MAHC’s HDMH Site has been a designated District Stroke Centre since 2006, and is the only regional stroke program without an MRI under its roof to perform time-sensitive studies before irreversible brain damage occurs. Dr. Jason Blaichman, Director & Chief of Diagnostic Imaging at MAHC, is delighted by today’s announcement that over time will lead to up to 5,000 MRI scans performed locally every year.

“Being able to offer MRI services locally in our region means our patients won’t have to travel out of the region for an exam that is fundamental to modern health care,” explains Dr. Blaichman. “Our sickest patients in the Emergency Departments or those admitted to our hospitals will be able to receive the MRI they need here, as well as the many outpatients on waiting lists. I am confident that our MRI will be an indispensable asset for many clinical programs at MAHC – not only for Muskoka’s stroke centre, but also for critical and intensive care, emergency trauma, orthopedic and general surgery, internal medicine, gynecology, and oncology services.”

The MRI project will be supported by $5 million in fundraising by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation by doubling the goal of its Focus on Imaging campaign to upgrade and replace diagnostic technology at the HDMH Site to total of $10 million.

“We are grateful that our government will fund MAHC’s operational costs, but it is up to us, our donors, and our generous community to raise the funds to purchase the MRI machine and cover the building alterations,” says Katherine Craine, CEO of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. “This is a life-changing investment in health care for all of Muskoka and a game changer for each resident and visitor in our communities.”

Cheryl Harrison, President & CEO at MAHC, agrees expanding access to MRI services in Muskoka is transformational and is excited for planning to get underway to culminate in the first MRI scan in Muskoka in the years ahead.

“We are grateful the Ministry of Health has supported expanding MRI services closer to each and every resident and visitor to Muskoka and East Parry Sound,” says Harrison. “We are so fortunate that in the future we will be able to provide the highest quality imaging services in our region, resulting in more timely diagnosis and treatment for patients.”

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The Ontario government is improving people’s access to diagnostic imaging services and reducing wait times by investing over $20 million in operating funding to support the addition of 27 new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines in hospitals across Ontario.

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