Sheridan Memorial Hospital has introduced a new 3 Tesla (3T) MRI machine, doubling the magnetic strength of its current system and bringing cutting-edge imaging capabilities typically found in large medical centers to the Sheridan community.
Sharper images, shorter scan times
Medical Imaging Manager Stephanie Williams and Radiologic Technologist and Radiology Practitioner Assistant Chris Bilyeu recently joined Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse to discuss the benefits of the new MRI. The hospital’s existing 1.5 Tesla MRI has long delivered excellent results, but the new 3T MRI produces images that are clearer and more precise — especially for brain, joint and small-structure studies.
“The images we get from this new machine are incredible,” Williams said. “When you’re looking at ligaments in a knee or small lesions in the brain, the detail is so crisp that radiologists can make more confident diagnoses.”
The 3T MRI also offers faster scan times — cutting many procedures from 30 minutes down to about 15 or 20 — which is especially beneficial for patients who experience anxiety or claustrophobia during scans.
“That extra magnetic strength pulls protons back into alignment faster,” Bilyeu explained. “That means shorter exams and a more comfortable experience for our patients.”
Expanding access to high-quality care
The addition of another MRI system allows the hospital to accommodate more patients and reduce wait times. With two scanners now operating — the new 3T MRI and the existing 1.5T — scheduling delays will be shortened from several days to as little as one or two.
“Our goal is to make imaging as accessible and seamless as possible,” Williams said. “The new MRI helps us meet growing demand while continuing to deliver the best quality of care right here at home.”
Local expertise, immediate results
Sheridan Memorial Hospital is among the few rural facilities in the region with radiologists on-site, meaning nearly all scans are read the same day. This immediate interpretation allows physicians to move quickly from diagnosis to treatment planning.
“Having our radiologists right here is a tremendous advantage,” Williams said. “If our technologists or providers have questions, they can walk down the hall and get answers right away. That’s a level of collaboration you don’t always find in larger systems.”
Investing in the future of imaging
As imaging technology evolves, Sheridan Memorial Hospital continues to invest in advancements that improve accuracy, comfort and early detection.
“We’re very fortunate to have the same equipment used in major hospitals,” Williams said. “From mammography and CT to MRI, our technology allows us to provide the highest level of care — without our patients needing to travel.”
Bilyeu added, “Catching disease early changes lives. This new MRI gives us sharper tools to do that — right here in Sheridan.”