Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital Radiology Renovation Underway

New MRI machine anchors project set to be completed in Spring.

Renovation has begun at Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital’s radiology department. Construction crews work in an area that will house the department’s new MRI machine coming in March.

BIG RAPIDS, Nov. 17, 2020 – After three years of planning and anticipation, work has begun on the $4.9 million radiology department renovation and equipment upgrade project at Spectrum Health Big Rapids Hospital.

As part of the project, a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine will replace a 13-year-old unit that is completing its lifecycle. The new machine is a Siemens Healthineers MAGNETOM Sola, a 1.5T MRI system that features BioMatrix Technology that automatically adjusts to each patient ensuring the highest quality of personalized exams.

The radiology department is being completely renovated and will feature larger ultrasound rooms for patients, technologist work areas, offices, a break room and more. A new bone density machine is also being installed.

“We’re so excited to bring this technology and improved space to the greater Big Rapids community,” said Andrea Leslie, president of Spectrum Health Big Rapids, Reed City, United and Kelsey Hospitals. “Radiology services are an important part of providing care to the community, and this investment reflects our commitment in this space.”

Joy Smith, manager of radiology services at Big Rapids and Reed City hospitals, said the department improvements are extensive.

“This project will bring a fresh updated look throughout the department and an enhanced experience with the latest MRI and Bone Density technology for our patients and team members alike,” Smith said. “We ask for patience during the next few months while we all work around the construction. I am confident our patients and team members will love the final results of this project!”

The new MRI machine is scheduled to begin imaging patients in March and the entire project will be finished in the Spring of 2021. The hospital’s current scanner will remain operational until the new equipment goes live.

Spectrum Health System, a not-for-profit, integrated health system, is committed to improving the health and wellness of our communities. We live our mission every day with 31,000 compassionate professionals, 4,600 medical staff experts, 3,300 committed volunteers and a health plan serving 1 million members. Our talented physicians and caregivers are privileged to offer a full continuum of care and wellness services to our communities through 14 hospitals, including Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, 150 ambulatory sites and telehealth offerings. We pursue health care solutions for today and tomorrow that diversify our offerings. Locally-governed and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, our health system provided $550 million in community benefit in calendar year 2019. Thanks to the generosity of our communities, we also received $37 million in philanthropy during calendar year 2019 to support research, academics, innovation and clinical care. Spectrum Health has been recognized as one of the nation’s 15 Top Health Systems by Truven Health Analytics®, part of IBM Watson Health^TM.

Contact:
John Norton
Corporate Communications Manager
Office: 231.592.4387
Mobile: 231.580.1079
Email: john.norton@corewellhealth.org