The following is a press release issued by Adventist Health Ukiah Valley:
To thank the community for its generous contributions, Adventist Health Ukiah Valley officially opened its new, state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 16. The new MRI is the culmination of a years-long, community-based fundraising effort to bring advanced medical imaging technology to area residents.
“The new MRI is a big win for the people of Ukiah and all of Mendocino County as it makes it easier for patients to access state-of-the-art technology without having to leave the area,” says David Leighton, Administrator of Adventist Health Ukiah Valley. “We’re grateful for the generosity of our donors, partners and associates who all pitched in to make this critical investment happen.”
Offering a wide bore and a shorter tunnel, the unit can accommodate larger patients and those who may have challenges with enclosed, smaller spaces. These patients can now receive an MRI scan close to home, without needing to drive to Santa Rosa or beyond. The new MRI also has a sharper image resolution and faster scan times; thereby reducing the time patients spend in the scanner and allowing for faster turnaround times. Adventist Health Ukiah Valley traditionally conducts about 4,500 MRI scans each year. The new MRI is expected to increase capacity by as much as 10%.
“As MRI is becoming the standard for surgeons and ER doctors to develop care plans for their patients, it is important to have this technology close to home,” says Honalee Newman, Imaging Director at Adventist Health Ukiah Valley. “This new machine helps us keep healthcare local, and I’m so incredibly grateful to the community of donors and Adventist Health employees who contributed over the years to make this dream a reality.”
The Adventist Health Foundation of Mendocino County is committed to providing health, wholeness and hope, striving to keep healthcare local. Community gifts help fuel a wide range of funds supporting our hospitals, clinics and community. For more information, please visit: https://www.adventisthealth.org/mendocino-county/mendocino-county-philanthropy/
