Hospital’s new state-of-the-art MRI expected to scan first patient in December 2025
With the ribbon cutting, the Upper River Valley Hospital Foundation co-chairs marked a vital groundbreaking milestone in their pursuit of bringing a state-of-the-art MRI to the Waterville hospital.
“This is like a dream come true,” said Betty Lou Craig on Sept. 24, before she and her foundation co-chair Andy Lenehan cut the ribbon at the URVH front entrance.
Those attending the groundbreaking ceremony included members of the foundation board, donors who supported the foundation’s most ambitious project, Horizon Health CEO Margaret Melanson, Horizon staff, Dr Everett Chalmers Hospital Foundation partners and representatives from MRI supplier Siemens Canada.
The event included signs depicting a blueprint of the corridor’s construction leading to the modular structure attached to the URVH building required to house the state-of-the-art 1.5 Tesla MRI equipment.
It also outlined the timeline of the final steps required to have the new MRI in place to scan its first patient by Dec. 22, 2025.
Lenehan welcomed the large crowd on hand for the ceremony, emphasizing the efforts of several fronts which made the dream a reality.
“Everyone’s support led to this day and we’re truly grateful,” he said.
Calling the Upper River Valley Hospital “one of the jewels of Horizon, Melanson described the advanced technology of the new MRI as a “significant milestone” for the hospital.
“This is going to provide direct benefit to patients within the Upper Valley and surrounding areas,” she said.
She explained the new MRI would reduce wait times across Horizon’s Zone 3 and eliminate travel for many patients.
Melanson explained Horizon is committed to enhancing advanced technology and is grateful to everyone who supported the “fast and successful” fundraising effort.
She said the enhanced service will reduce wait times across Horizon’s complete Zone 3 area and eliminate travel for many patients.
During a foundation meeting in the hospital’s conference room following the outdoor ceremony, Melanson, Zach Kilburn, vice president of special services with Horizon, and Siemens Canada representatives outlined the vast improvements the new MRI equipment will deliver.
URVH’s new MRI will replace a portable MRI the hospital shares with Campbellton. Kilburn explained the permanent state-of-the equipment will more than double the number of patients served. It also offers scans for patients the old portable MRI couldn’t serve.
Melanson explained that Horizon has committed to recruiting and training the medical staff to run the new equipment.
Not only does the new MRI demonstrate Horizon and URVH staff’s commitment to healthcare in the area, but Melanson said it improves Horizon’s ongoing recruitment efforts. She explained that health professionals considering a move to the URVH want to know if the facility offers the latest technology and support for the medical community.
“It’s always such a pleasure to say, ‘Yes, there’s an extremely active foundation here,'” said Melanson.
With most of the URVH Foundation board present, Melanson praised their remarkable effort to enhance the hospital’s equipment and service.
“I am honestly overwhelmed by the amount of fundraising and equipment that your foundation has delivered,” she said.
During the meeting, Lenehan asked those in attendance to view a handout outlining the long list of equipment provided by the foundation’s more than $4 million raised since 2020, including the $3 million raised for the MRI project.
The mayors of surrounding communities agreed the foundation’s success was a testament to the region’s generosity. Carleton North Mayor Andrew Harvey, Hartland Mayor Tracey DeMerchant and Woodstock Mayor Trina Jones said Upper Valley residents and business owners step up when support is needed.
“Time after time people of the region step forward to display their generosity,” said Jones.
She also stressed the new MRI indicates the hospital’s long-term commitment to delivering high-level care in the future.
“It’s huge,” Jones said. “It’s huge for our whole region.”
DeMerchant praised the effort of everyone who supported the effort, especially the foundation board members.
“Things like this don’t get done without hardworking people,” DeMerchant said.
Kilburn explained the logistics required to design and build the home for the new MRI without interrupting scanning services delivered by the current mobile unit. He said the hospital and Horizon didn’t want to suspend existing services.
He explained the plans are in place, with construction beginning soon.
Brent Oram, the Atlantic representative for Siemens Canada, a division of the German-based company, described the new MRI, constructed to meet the URVH space requirements, as his company’s flagship model. He said it would be the first of its kind in New Brunswick.
