MRI Services Are Officially Coming to Sioux Lookout

Sioux Lookout, Ontario – January 24, 2025 – The Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) Foundation is thrilled to announce that Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) services
will soon be available in Sioux Lookout.

As announced on January 24, 2025, the Ontario government is improving access to diagnostic imaging services and reducing wait times in Sioux Lookout and across Northern Ontario by investing up to $8.1 million to build and operate a state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) suite at Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre to support the first-ever MRI
machine in Sioux Lookout.

“The SLMHC Foundation staff and Foundation Board members are elated with this great news” says Rob McClendon, SLMHC Foundation President. “We would love to see the MRI in Sioux
Lookout operational as soon as possible, and have been continuously working to help bring this goal closer to reality. We would like to thank the businesses, community groups and individuals
throughout Northwestern Ontario for your support thus far. If you have any questions, or would like to donate to help with the equipment purchases, please contact the Foundation office.”

MRI Services at SLMHC will provide much needed diagnostic imaging services to over 50,000 North Western Ontario residents making equitable and timely access to health care more feasible for many. Services will benefit not only people living in Sioux Lookout and throughout the neighboring 31 surrounding communities (including many First Nation Communities accessible only by air), but will provide some relief financially and with less travel for much of the Northwestern region including those in Dryden, Ignace, Machin, Eagle Lake, Vermillion Bay,
Wabigoon Lake, Balmertown and Red Lake. Currently, patients in these areas endure wait times and required travel for MRI scans in both Thunder Bay and Winnipeg. An MRI unit at SLMHC
will improve access to health care service for our patients, and it will reduce wait times as patients look to access MRI scans.

“We have been working diligently to advocate for our hospital and patients for a number of services, one of them being the implementation of an MRI unit. I would like to extend my greatest appreciation to the Government of Ontario and the Ministry of Health for recognizing and supporting this need for our patients,” says Dean Osmond, President and CEO of SLMHC.

As the cost of the scanner and supporting equipment are the responsibility of SLMHC, the Foundation’s MRI Campaign to raise money will continue. All funds raised through this campaign will continue to be directed to the Equipment Fund with priority being given to the MRI. For more information or to donate today, visit slmhc.on.ca/foundation or contact Donor Relations/Operations Coordinator, Melissa Slade at 807-737-7997 or by email at foundation@slmhc.on.ca.

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