The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Health Care Foundation, and Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services, today announced the addition of two GE HealthCare SIGNA Artist 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (1.5 T MRI) scanners at the Ambulatory Health Hub in St. John’s.

“On behalf of our new Provincial Government, I thank the Health Care Foundation and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services for their work to make these MRIs available to Newfoundlanders and Labradorians,” said the Honourable Lela Evans, Minister of Health and Community Services. “We know that early diagnosis reduces long-term suffering and long-term costs, and we look forward to working with the Foundation and Newfoundland and Labrador Health Services to increase access to diagnostic services.”

This milestone represents a shared investment in strengthening medical imaging capacity within the provincial health system. One of the MRI systems represents a $1.8 million philanthropic investment made possible by Health Care Foundation donors. This significant philanthropic contribution enhances access to timely, high-quality care for patients throughout the province. The other MRI system was supported by the investment of approximately $3.45 million as part of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s commitment to improving access to health care and helping reduce wait times.

“This investment reflects the power of community generosity and the critical role philanthropy plays in strengthening diagnostic capacity,” said Paul Snow, president and CEO of the Health Care Foundation. “By aligning donor support with system priorities, we are expanding access to advanced imaging and supporting timely diagnosis, both of which play a vital role in guiding treatment decisions and care planning for patients in Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The MRIs became operational in February and will support expanded access to advanced medical imaging in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“We are pleased to offer additional diagnostic services to our patients and clients with the addition of these two MRIs at the new Ambulatory Health Hub which provides enhanced outpatient services in a modern clinical environment,” said Dr. Gena Bugden, vice-president, Medical Services and Academic Affairs, and Chief of Staff with NL Health Services. “NL Health Services is pleased to deliver safe, consistent, and high-quality medical imaging services to more patients and clients with the addition of these two MRIs.”

MRI scans can help provide clarification on other diagnostic studies, help guide management and assist in diagnosis for many illnesses in oncology, neurology, cardiology and musculoskeletal regions of the body. These 1.5 T MRIs are innovative and come equipped with advanced technologies that can help to improve diagnostic confidence, patient experience and wait times.

In 2025, NL Health Services’ Provincial Medical Imaging Program earned national accreditation by Accreditation Canada Diagnostics for every medical imaging location across the province, the first province in Canada to achieve this national benchmark. NL Health Services received the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15189 Plus accreditation award for Diagnostic Imaging, an international standard recognizing excellence in quality and safety in medical imaging services.

MRI services at the Ambulatory Health Hub are available by appointment only, Monday to Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. If clients would like to check on the status of their appointment, they may call 709-777-9729.

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