The abbreviation MRI stands for magnetic resonance imaging. It is a type of medical imaging technology that produces highly detailed images of the anatomy and physiological processes in the body — especially soft tissues like the brain, muscles, and organs. MRI scanners use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to form images of the body. MRI is widely used for the diagnosis, staging and follow-up of disease.
Our Journey to the Region’s First MRI
Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare (MAHC) is proud to deliver high quality, patient-centred care through the arrival of the Muskoka region’s first donor funded Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine at the Huntsville District Memorial Hospital (HDMH) Site.
Thanks to the generosity of our community through funds raised by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation’s Focus on Imaging campaign, access to MRI scans will be closer to home than ever before with operational funding for MRI provided by the Ministry of Health.
The arrival of our region’s first MRI means enhanced diagnostics and access to more advanced healthcare for the residents of Muskoka and Almaguin. Getting an MRI locally means you won’t have to travel as far – in fact we anticipate this will save our patients over 7,000 hours behind the wheel and 700,000 kilometers of travel to hospitals outside of our region for an MRI.
When the MRI service opens in July 2025 in a 3,700-square foot addition behind the Emergency Department, your health care provider will be able to provide a referral for the following services:
- Breast MRI
- Musculoskeletal MRI
- Neuro (brain and spine) MRI
- Pelvic / Abdominal MRI
- Prostate MRI
At its maturity, Muskoka and area’s MRI service will complete 5,000 MRI scans locally every year.
From the Ground Up
In December 2022, the provincial government announced that MAHC was one of 27 Ontario hospitals to receive operational funding for a new MRI machine at the HDMH Site.
In July 2024, joined by donors and dignitaries, we marked the official start of construction with a groundbreaking ceremony that followed months of behind-the-scenes planning. This involved the architectural design of the space, contractor tendering for the construction of the MRI Suite, special designation to operate magnetic resonance, and selection of the Siemens vendor to build MAHC’s first MRI machine.
Nine months of construction, including an essential planned power outage to connect the MRI Suite to the hospital’s power system, is turning a shell of space into a fully operational, state-of-the-art patient care area that will enhance diagnostic capabilities and patient care for years to come.
Construction Progress & the MRI Machine's Arrival
Nine months of construction, including an essential planned power outage to connect the MRI Suite to the hospital’s power system, is turning a shell of space into a fully operational, state-of-the-art patient care area that will enhance diagnostic capabilities and patient care for years to come. Learn more about our progress and check out our photo gallery from January to May 2025.
Excavating the land for the MRI Suite addition, Summer 2024
Building the foundation for the MRI Suite, September 2024
Pouring the floor and building additional pads, October 2024
MRI Suite foundation floor, November 2024
MRI Suite steel super structure taking shape, November 2024
Framing added to the steel super structure, November 2024
Sheeting covers the MRI Suite steel super structure, December 2024
Vapour barrier helps to waterproof the MRI Suite, January 2025
Hydro connection, February 2025
MRI Room and Control Room interior wall framing, February 2025
MRI Room walls taking shape, February 2025
MRI Room drywall, February 2025
Radio frequency shielding is added to the MRI Room, March 2025
MRI Room HVAC work, March 2025
MRI Waiting Area with paint, April 2025
MRI Room with paint and flooring, April 2025
MRI Control Room, May 2025
MRI Waiting Area taking shape, May 2025
MRI Suite with millwork, May 2025
Our MRI machine!
In May 2025, our donor-funded MRI machine travelled from Erlangen, Germany to Muskoka where it was lowered by crane and installed in the MRI Room within the new MRI addition in Huntsville. As finishings such as flooring, painting, IT network cabling, millwork, furniture and fixtures are completed, the MRI machine is going through testing and commissioning with the machine fully functional in July.
A crane unloads the MRI machine, May 2025
Moving the MRI machine into its new home, May 2025
Fundraising Journey
Announcing Muskoka’s first MRI in Huntsville was big news! Raising the funds required to purchase the new MRI machine was an even bigger challenge — one that the community met with incredible generosity, determination, and a shared commitment to improving local healthcare. The MRI is the result of a concerted effort by the Huntsville Hospital Foundation for community fundraising to the tune of $7.5 million as part of the Focus on Imaging campaign. The campaign generated 2,460 donations from residents, businesses and community groups from South River to Orillia and Haliburton to Parry Sound in only three years, a relatively short period of time for a campaign like this.
Meet the Team
We are excited to introduce the exceptional team behind Muskoka’s first MRI Suite in Huntsville. They are a group of highly skilled radiologists, technologists, and support staff dedicated to delivering top-tier diagnostic imaging with compassion and precision. Carefully selected for their expertise and commitment to patient care, this new team is ready to bring advanced imaging services closer to home, ensuring faster diagnoses and improved health outcomes for the entire community.
Rahim Ismaili
Manager of Diagnostic Imaging
Rahim is originally from London, England with Kenyan roots and moved to Canada halfway through primary school. Vancouver was home until he completed a Bachelor of Science degree at Simon Fraser University. His field of study was climatology and glaciology. After university, he embraced amazing opportunities to work in the Yukon with the Geological Survey of Canada, and across the prairies with the Canadian Forest Service.
In 2000, Rahim switched careers to diagnostic imaging. He completed a diploma in Nuclear Medicine in Calgary and worked in Edmonton for 10 years as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist. This is where he also received training in Computed Tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). For over 20 years, he was a point-of-care provider at facilities including Vancouver General Hospital, BC Children's Hospital, Cross Cancer Institute, and the Ottawa Heart Institute.
Dr. Maneesh Gupta, MD. FRCPC
Radiologist, Magnetic Resonance Medical Director
Dr. Gupta completed his medical degree and diagnostic radiology residency at the University of Toronto, as well as a fellowship in Magnetic Resonance Predominant Body Imaging and Musculoskeletal Imaging at Northwestern University. He has worked as a radiologist at Scarborough Health Network (SHN), Lakeridge Health (LH), and Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare since 2014. He has been the MRI Section Head at SHN and LH since 2019. He is trained as a software engineer and has a special interest in health-related information technology and systems design.
Dr. Jason Blaichman, MDCM. FRCPC
Radiologist, Chief & Director of Diagnostic Imaging
Dr. Blaichman joined MAHC in 2019 and has been serving as Chief and Director of Diagnostic Imaging since 2022. Dr. Blaichman earned his Medical Degree from McGill University and completed his Diagnostic Radiology Residency at the University of Toronto. He subsequently undertook a Fellowship in Musculoskeletal Imaging and Intervention at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dr. Blaichman’s subspecialty interests include musculoskeletal MRI and ultrasound and image-guided pain management, including spine intervention. He holds an academic appointment as an Adjunct Lecturer with the University of Toronto.
Frequently Asked Questions
This is an exciting time for health care in Muskoka! Our team has been advocating for an MRI in Muskoka for many years. Once construction of the MRI Suite in Huntsville is completed, and commissioning of the new machine and staff training is achieved, we look forward to receiving our first patients this summer!
Leading up to this exciting opening of the MRI service in Muskoka, you can check out a new frequently asked question every week by tuning into 'MRI Monday' on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn channels.
What is MRI and how does it work?
The MRI is located at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital where the region’s District Stroke Centre is also located. It is installed within a 3,700 square foot addition behind the Diagnostic Imaging and Emergency Departments.
The new MRI is expected to open for patient services in July 2025, operating five days a week.
Yes, MRI is extremely safe. Unlike X-rays and CT scans, there is no radiation involved in an MRI. Technologists carefully screen each patient prior to the scan to ensure they are safe to enter the scan. This involves screening for metal, such as devices with metal in them – like a pacemaker, metal plates, rods or screws from surgery, or even piercings.
When the hospital is redeveloped what will happen to the MRI?
Bringing an MRI to Muskoka has been a long-time goal, and we're thrilled that patients will soon have access to this service. The new MRI will continue to make a big difference for thousands of people each year, even as we work toward approvals for our new hospitals. An MRI is certainly part of the plans for the future hospital, and when the time comes, decisions about the machine will consider its age, condition, and any new advances in technology to ensure we’re providing the very best care possible.
Can MRI cause harm to my body due to the strong magnetic fields?
No. MRI Technologists are highly trained professionals who have extensive knowledge and training to operate the scanner safely under all conditions. During some procedures, a common side effect during the scan can be a warming sensation of the body area being scanned. There are techniques technologists use to adjust parameters to minimize the effects of warming to ensure you are kept safe and comfortable.
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