Strathroy, ON – April 11, 2025 – The Middlesex Hospital Alliance (MHA) has officially opened the much anticipated Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) suite at the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital (SMGH),
bringing transformative diagnostic healthcare services to Middlesex and surrounding communities. Thanks to the remarkable generosity of donors and community partners, the SMGH Foundation has raised $5.2 million in support of the project – a reflection of how deeply inspired supporters are by the excellent and compassionate care provided at SMGH.
“We are incredibly excited to celebrate the grand opening of the Bill & Lynne Gray, L.H. Gray & Son Limited Diagnostic Imaging Department, featuring the Marilyn Buttery Lynne Lawrence CommonWealth Financial MRI Suite at SMGH today. This is a pivotal achievement that represents a major step forward in healthcare for our community,” said Julie McBrien, MHA President & CEO. “We are thrilled to have received operational funding for an MRI and such generous support from our donors, this is an advancement that expands our ability to provide timely, cutting-edge technology, high-quality care close to home for patients in our communities.”
“Our government is making record investments in health care to connect more people to the care they need, closer to home,” said Sylvia Jones, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health. “By investing in the Middlesex Hospital Alliance’s first-ever MRI machine at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital, our government is making it easier and faster for more people and families in Southwestern Ontario to access key diagnostic services in their community, for years to come.”
The ribbon cutting ceremony was held today with many hospital staff members, Board members, community partners, and donors in attendance to celebrate this significant healthcare milestone for the community. More than 1,500 individuals, businesses, and organizations invested in the project through the SMGH Foundation.
“We are incredibly grateful to our donors for their generous and heartfelt support,” said Michelle Hancock, CEO of the SMGH Foundation. “Today’s celebration marks a significant step forward, made possible by the inspiring generosity of our community. While we celebrate this milestone, our work continues – we are still raising approximately $3 million to complete the funding for the MRI project, creating a lasting legacy in our community that will transform the lives of countless patients and families.”
The SMGH MRI has been fully operational and accepting referrals since March 13, 2025, and the MRI team has already performed 165 patient scans. SMGH’s new MRI will allow for more than 3,200 scans to be performed each year, greatly reducing wait times and ensuring that patients who once had to travel outside the region can now access timely diagnostic imaging closer to home.