FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Strathroy, Ontario — April 22, 2026 — The Middlesex Hospital Alliance (MHA) is celebrating a major milestone: one year of MRI services at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital (SMGH), bringing faster, closer-to-home diagnostic care to patients across the region.
Since launching in April 2025, the MRI program has transformed access to advanced imaging in Strathroy, Middlesex County, and surrounding communities. What was once a lengthy trip out of town for many patients is now available locally – making care more convenient, timely, and patient-centered.
The journey to this milestone began with the arrival of the state-of-the-art MRI unit in January 2025, following years of planning, Ministry of Health approval, hospital preparation, community fundraising, and clinical leadership. To support the technology, SMGH completed significant renovations, including structural upgrades, specialized shielding, and the development of a purpose-built MRI suite—made possible through strong collaboration between clinical teams, facilities staff, construction partners, and generous donors.
This achievement was made possible through the collective efforts of hospital leadership, staff, physicians, volunteers, generous donors, community partners, and London X-Ray Associates (LXA), whose advocacy, partnership, and clinical support were instrumental in SMGH’s successful bid to bring MRI services to SMGH. Their continued involvement has helped strengthen diagnostic imaging at SMGH and reflects the important role they play as part of the broader MHA care team.
In its first year alone, the SMGH MRI team has completed 4,588 scans—helping to reduce travel time, ease wait lists locally and across the region, and support faster diagnosis and treatment planning. In October 2025, the Ministry of Health approved extended MRI operating hours—faster than at any other site in Ontario. The suite now operates Monday to Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., further improving patient access.
More recently, SMGH’s MRI service was also included in the Ontario Health West Diagnostic Imaging Central Intake Program, which is designed to improve access, support shorter wait times, and strengthen outcomes for patients across the region.
Patient feedback about the new MRI has been overwhelmingly positive. Highlights have included a seamless and compassionate experience close to home, in a beautiful MRI suite —with staff consistently described as warm, friendly, informative, professional, and highly efficient.
“The arrival of MRI services at SMGH was a transformational moment for our hospital and community, along with the creation of the Bill & Lynne Gray, L.H. Gray & Son Limited Diagnostic Imaging Department featuring the Marilyn Buttery Lynne Lawrence CommonWealth Financial MRI Suite,” said Michelle Hancock, CEO of the Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation. “This achievement reflects the extraordinary generosity of our donors and partners, and we are deeply grateful for the support that helped bring this vision to life.”
MHA President & CEO Julie McBrien highlighted the impact on patient care:
“Having MRI services available close to home aligns with our commitment to the communities we serve to “Advance How we Deliver Care”, and we have heard from our patients that this is making an impactful difference,” said McBrien. “Our patient-centered approach, closer to home and timely access to high-quality imaging supports better outcomes and reduces the stress during an already challenging time.”
As SMGH marks this one-year anniversary, we extend a sincere thank you to the donors, staff, physicians, volunteers, London X-Ray Associates, and community partners who helped bring this essential service to life—and continue to support its success.
With the project now nearing full fundraising completion, this milestone is both a celebration of what has been achieved and a reflection of what is possible when a hospital, its physicians, and its communities come together around a shared vision for local care.
For more information about MRI services at SMGH, please visit www.mhalliance.on.ca.
Media Contact:
Rhiana Alfadili
Communications Advisor
Middlesex Hospital Alliance
519-245-5295 #5599
Rhiana.Alfadili@mha.tvh.ca