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Forsyth Medical Center (FMC) and Forsyth Radiological Associates (FRA), announced today they will combine their freestanding, outpatient imaging services to form a new company to provide comprehensive vascular, cardiac, orthopedic, neurological and breast imaging services to patients and physician practices across the triad. The new company, called Excel Imaging, will employ approximately 200 people at six locations throughout Forsyth County. The implementation of the new venture will take place over the next six months.

According to Paul Hammes, executive director of imaging and neurosciences at FMC, the consolidation of imaging services will provide more convenient patient access, faster test results for doctors, and greater efficiency for the new company.

"The focus of Excel Imaging will be to provide the absolute highest quality imaging care to our patients, with world class customer service," says Hammes. "By calling one number, doctors and patients will access a comprehensive array of advanced medical imaging across multiple locations in the triad. Additionally, the new company will eliminate the need for duplicate expenditures on technology and training by the two organizations. We can invest those savings in new technology and staff development."

Hammes says as the population ages, there has been dramatic growth in the need for imaging services, particularly at freestanding centers outside of the hospital setting. The trend for immediate access to service, rapid turnaround of results and an increased level of personal service are key factors behind the merger of services.

Kip Larson, M.D., chief executive officer at FRA says Excel Imaging is a natural progression in the business relationship between the two organizations.

"FRA radiologists have worked with FMC for more than 37 years," he says. "It is very common for radiologists to own imaging centers and you often see radiologists collaborate with hospitals on an imaging center, a PET scanner or a mobile MRI scanner. But this is very different because it is a fully comprehensive consolidation of outpatient services that will greatly benefit our patients, area doctors and our employees."

Currently, FRA has 33 radiologists and operates three facilities including Maplewood Imaging, Greystone Imaging and Central Triad Imaging in Kernersville. FMC owns and operates The Breast Clinic, one of the Southeasts largest centers for breast screening and diagnostics and Salem MRI, which is licensed to operate three MRI diagnostic units. FMC, in collaboration with FRA, also provides a variety of nuclear medicine diagnostics at its Maplewood Imaging Center.

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.

Forsyth Radiological Associates is a privately-owned physician group that was founded in 1968 and provides a variety of diagnostic services from a standard X-Ray to highly sophisticated Computerized Tomography (CT Scans). At seven locations throughout Forsyth County, our radiologists, physician assistants, technologists and staff work as a team to bring each of our patients a high level of personal attention and care.