Together with the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is celebrating the reopening of the Nuclear Medicine
service at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital (HDMH) Site.
The reopening earlier this fall follows the replacement of an end-of-life nuclear medicine camera with a new state-of-the-art $2.6 million SPECT-CT Nuclear Medicine suite supported by an incredible $2 million contribution by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Focus on Imaging
campaign through the generosity of community donors and a leadership donation from The Sprott Foundation.
Up to 2,000 nuclear medicine exams are completed in Huntsville annually, allowing patients
across the Muskoka region and in East Parry Sound to receive diagnostic services closer to home.
The new technology allows for faster imaging and improved image quality, which increases
diagnostic accuracy and gives healthcare professionals more precise information that advances
patient care. As well, the addition of CT technology to the nuclear medicine scanner allows for
fusion imaging by combining two types of imaging, often avoiding the need for an additional
appointment.
“The Diagnostic Imaging team is thrilled to have resumed Nuclear Medicine services in a new,
state-of-the-art suite. Our new machine includes CT capabilities that can provide
backup/redundancy during any downtime of our main CT scanner in order to minimize
interruptions to patient care”, says Dr. Jason Blaichman, Director & Chief of Diagnostic Imaging.
“Since the reopening, our patient population can once again receive their essential nuclear
medicine exams without having to leave Muskoka.”
MAHC President & CEO Cheryl Harrison is equally excited the service has resumed and
appreciates hospital partners in Orillia, Barrie and North Bay for supporting referral volumes
during the renovation and replacement period.
“We are also grateful for the incredible generosity of the donors and the Foundation’s hard work
toward this important capital equipment purchase and associated expansion of the hospital behind
the Sprott Foundation Diagnostic Imaging department to accommodate the new machine and
necessary renovations,” says Harrison.
Katherine Craine, CEO of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, adds the Foundation is proud to
have supported the reopening of the SPECT-CT Nuclear Medicine Suite to patients.
“Seeing this project come to fruition is so heartwarming,” says Craine. “Congratulations to all of
our donors for making this happen for our Muskoka community!”
PHOTO: Celebrating the reopening of Nuclear Medicine suite at the Huntsville Hospital are (from left) Senior Nuclear Medicine Technologist Richard Mann, Huntsville Hospital Foundation CEO Katherine Craine, and Director & Chief of Diagnostic Imaging Dr. Jason Blaichman.