February 20, 2008
St. John’s Announces Plans for New Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Joplin, MO – St. John’s Regional Medical Center announces an additional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit will be put into place in its Radiology Department. This new technology is part of a capital expenditure of $2.9 million this fiscal year as part of a $26 million capital improvement initiative. The improvements, which have taken place over the past 18 months, are aimed at facility expansion, new technology and improved services for the community.
The new 1.5 Tesla (a unit of measurement that indicates the strength of its magnetic field) MRI unit combines state-of-the-art image quality and revolutionary acquisition speed that will provide a new level of innovative diagnostic imaging. High-resolution images and faster scanning will enable St. John’s to better serve patients in the four-state area. The ultra short magnet gantry will provide a more comfortable examination environment than ever before. The new MRI will provide more comprehensive information to our physicians, thus enabling them to make rapid treatment decisions.
St. John’s new MRI will be located in the Outpatient Diagnostic Center in the St. John’s Medical Office Building at 2817 McClelland Blvd., Joplin. This will be the second MRI unit at St. John’s.
“We’re excited to be adding the latest MRI imaging technology here at St. John’s,” stated Debbie Linnes, St. John’s president and CEO. “St. John’s continues to be the leader in state-of-the-art technology in the area.”
St. John's Regional Medical Center has been leading the way in healthcare throughout the four-state area for more than 100 years. We are a 367-bed facility, serving 19 counties in Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas. We provide state-of-the-art healthcare services, specializing in cardiology, orthopedics, neurosciences, and oncology. St. John’s has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission. Additionally, we have been recognized by Thomson Healthcare with three 100 Top Hospital Awards (2006) and rated in the top 5% nationally by HealthGrades for joint replacement (2008).