Cochise County, Arizona's critical access hospitals have united to bolster access to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for residents. With substantial federal support via the Fiscal Year 2023 bipartisan federal appropriations legislation, access to this vital diagnostic service is being amplified in Benson, Willcox, Bisbee, Douglas, and surrounding areas. The recently acquired Cochise County Mobile MRI has arrived and is set to commence patient services in April.

Gary Kartchner, Chief Executive Officer of Benson Hospital, emphasized the critical importance of expanding MRI services to ensure residents have timely access to essential diagnostic imaging, enabling early detection and treatment of various medical conditions. He highlighted that without local access to MRI scans, patients may encounter significant delays and obstacles in obtaining crucial healthcare services, potentially resulting in worsened health outcomes. Kartchner expressed sincere gratitude to Senators Kelly and Sinema for securing funding that brings healthcare closer to the residents of Cochise County, underscoring the impact of such support on improving community health and wellbeing.

“By doubling available MRI appointments in our rural communities reduce the need for residents to travel long distances to urban centers for medical care, which can be costly, time-consuming, and burdensome, particularly for patients with limited mobility or financial resources. By bringing MRI technology closer to home, our providers can better meet the diverse needs of our populations, ultimately improving overall healthcare of the patients we serve,” said Mo Sheldon, CEO, Northern Cochise Community Hospital.
Robert Seamon, CEO of Copper Queen Community Hospital noted this collaboration will provide advanced MRI technology to multiple Cochise County communities, ensuring patients can access top-quality imaging services within their own neighborhoods. GE HealthCare, a leading global medical technology, pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator, provided the SIGNA Voyager 1.5T MRI scanner, and expressed enthusiasm for participating in this innovative approach to healthcare delivery.

“All communities deserve access to high quality healthcare,” said Larry Biscotti, GE HealthCare United States and Canada President, Imaging. “Our SIGNA Voyager 1.5T MRI scanner is designed to help maximize patient comfort and is equipped with AIR Recon DL, which utilizes deep learning algorithms to significantly improve the quality and speed of MRI scans. AIR Recon DL represents a powerful integration of AI and MRI technology, offering potential advancements in medical imaging for accurate diagnoses and improved patient outcomes.”

In conclusion, the commitment remains steadfast among healthcare providers to deliver exceptional healthcare services within Cochise County's communities. Through collaboration and bolstered by federal support, the expansion of access promises to enhance community health outcomes and ensure that vital healthcare services are readily available close to home.

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