2006 News Releases
Stokes County Gets Advanced Diagnostic Technology With Forsyth Medical Center's New Mobile MRI Unit
February 9, 2006
Contact: Forsyth Medical Center Marketing and Public Relations, 336-718-4050
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King, NC - Until just recently, when physicians in Stokes County need advanced diagnostic testing, they had no choice but to refer patients to facilities at the region's large medical centers in Winston-Salem or Greensboro. That's all changed now, with Forsyth Medical Center's (FMC) new mobile Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) unit that is stationed two days a week at Mountainview Medical in King as part of FMC's efforts to improve access to health care in rural communities.
Mobile MRIs allows hospitals and physicians to have convenient access to the latest imaging technology without the cost of purchasing and maintaining on-site equipment.
"Our investment in Mobile MRI is an example of Forsyth's commitment to improve access to advanced imaging services in our surrounding communities," says Paul Hammes, executive director of imaging and neurosciences at FMC. "Often, rural healthcare providers don't have the financial resources, regulatory approval or patient volume to justify this level of technology. This is where major medical centers such as FMC can make the investment in the equipment and place the technology where it is needed most."
According to Hammes, the mobile MRI will be located at Mountainview Medical in King, but is also available to provide diagnostic services for Stokes Reynolds Memorial Hospital as well as other area physician practices.
"It has been very helpful for our older patients who don't want to travel to Winston-Salem," says Donna Huie, practice manger at Mountainview. "Our doctors have immediate access to the unit on Monday and Tuesday when it is here at the practice and other physician practices, including Orthopedic Specialists, have been using the new service as well."
Forsyth Medical Center is part of Novant Health, a not-for-profit integrated healthcare system based in North Carolina. Hospital affiliates include Forsyth Medical Center and Medical Park Hospital in Winston-Salem, Thomasville Medical Center in Thomasville; Presbyterian Hospital, Presbyterian Orthopaedic Hospital, Presbyterian Hospital Matthews and Presbyterian Hospital Huntersville in the Charlotte area; Brunswick Community Hospital in Supply, NC; and management services for Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Other facilities and programs of Novant Health include three philanthropic foundations, two nursing home and senior residential facilities, 122 physician clinics, outpatient surgery and diagnostic centers, rehabilitation programs and community health outreach programs.
Novant Health has been nationally recognized as the "Best in Industry for Working Mothers" by Working Mother Magazine and one of the "Top 40 Family-Friendly NC Companies" by Charlotte Parent and Piedmont Parent magazines. Additionally, Novant Health has been ranked 8th in the nation by the 2006 Verispan Top 100 Integrated Healthcare Networks, published in Modern Healthcare magazine.
Forsyth Medical Center 
