New MRI now operating at Huntsville hospital, bringing scans closer to home

Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare welcomes a new MRI machine by fundraising $10M

Huntsville District Memorial Hospital marked a major milestone with the official opening of its new MRI suite.

The opening was celebrated on Monday by hospital staff, donors, dignitaries and community members. It’s a significant moment for local health care, officials stated, marking the end of a five-year journey and a $10 million fundraising campaign led by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.

““I am so happy that Muskoka is among the first of the 49 new MRI machines the Ontario government is adding across the province, alongside our District Stroke Centre in Huntsville,” noted Cheryl Harrison, President and CEO at Muskoka Algonquin HealthCare (MAHC).

Harrison said the MRI would reduce wait times, improve patient outcomes, and support local care. “No more long drives out of the region. No more delays in diagnosis. This MRI is changing the game,” Harrison added.

Until now, patients had to drive to Orillia, Barrie or beyond to have an MRI scan. The new machine will perform roughly 5,000 scans per year, which is expected to save patients over 700,000 kilometres of travel and more than 7,000 hours of driving.