Photo caption: Dignitaries in the MRI room include Tim Miller, Director, Facilities & Operations; Graydon Smith, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka; Cheryl Harrison, MAHC President and CEO; Diane George, MAHC Vice President of Integrated Care, Patient Services, Quality and CNE; Dave Uffelmann, MAHC Board Chair; Scott Aitchison, MP for Parry Sound-Muskoka; Rahim Ismaili, MAHC Manager of Diagnostic Imaging; Dr. Khaled Abdel-Razek, MAHC Chief of Staff; Noreen Chan, MAHC Director of Diagnostics & Community Collaboration; Katherine Craine, CEO of Huntsville Hospital Foundation; and Shelly Mclean, Board Chair of Huntsville Hospital Foundation.
For the first time ever, patients across Muskoka, Almaguin, and surrounding communities have access to local Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) imaging, eliminating the need for lengthy travel and long wait times. Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare has officially opened a state-of-the-art MRI suite at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital Site – a milestone that is being celebrated as a game-changer for the region.
This transformational step forward not only enhances diagnostic services close to home, it signals a new era in regional health care.
Bringing Care Closer to Home
Until now, residents in Muskoka and surrounding areas had to travel long distances for MRI scans, logging over 700,000 kilometers annually just to access vital diagnostic imaging. For many, this meant delayed care, increased anxiety, and physical or financial stress. The arrival of the MRI suite changes everything.
Photo caption: Ben Osorio of Huntsville was the first patient to be scanned by MAHC’s MRI, undergoing safety screening with MRI Technologist Muhammad Tajammul
With the ability to perform an estimated 5,000 scans per year, the new service will significantly reduce travel and wait times for patients while also improving clinical workflows for care teams. In turn, this will lead to faster, more accurate diagnoses and earlier treatment interventions.
“No more long drives out of the region. No more delays in diagnosis,” says Cheryl Harrison, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare President & CEO. “This MRI is changing the game for our patients and our communities, and I want to thank everyone who made this possible.”
Improving Care Across Generations
The new MRI service doesn't just benefit today's patients. It lays the foundation for decades of improved care. As part of Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare’s broader commitment to equitable, accessible health care in rural Ontario, the MRI suite will support enhanced services for generations to come. Integrated with the local District Stroke Centre and other diagnostic programs, the MRI will help expedite stroke care, detect cancers earlier, and monitor chronic diseases more effectively.
Powered by the Community
The MRI suite wouldn’t have been possible without overwhelming community support. Through the Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Focus on Imaging campaign, over $10 million was raised to bring this vision to life. More than 2,400 donors – from individuals and families to businesses and service clubs – stepped up to ensure local access to this essential tool.
The MRI machine itself, built by Siemens and weighing over 8,000 pounds, was carefully delivered and installed in May. It officially began scanning patients in July 2025.
Katherine Craine, CEO of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation, called it a “life-changing investment,” adding, “we are really fortunate to live in a region that is so incredibly supportive of health care and our hospital.”
Photo caption: MAHC’s new Siemens MRI machine is seen from the control room in the new MRI Suite.
What’s Next
As the MRI service ramps up to full capacity, Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare is already working with regional partners to coordinate referrals, prioritize urgent cases, and optimize access. The new suite is designed to accommodate future growth and further integration into upcoming hospital redevelopment plans.
Patients with MRI requisitions from out of town will also be able to request their scans closer to home, reducing overall system pressure while strengthening care continuity locally.
A Milestone Worth Celebrating
The opening of the MRI suite is more than a new piece of equipment. It’s a milestone that demonstrates what’s possible when government, health care, and community come together for a shared goal: better care, closer to home.
As Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare continues to grow and evolve, the new MRI is a clear reminder of what can be achieved through vision, commitment, and community.
Photo caption: A ribbon cutting in the new MRI Suite marks the official opening of the space in Huntsville on July 7, 2025 with dignitaries, donors and community members.