Major MRI Upgrade Improves Care at Cornwall Community Hospital
May 23, 2026Cornwall Ontario – A recent at the Cornwall Community Hospital Diagnostic Services Department will help enhance access, quality of care, and outcomes for local patients.
The hospital’s Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) machine has recently undergone a complete refit. This process involved stripping the machine down to its core magnet and replacing the surrounding components and computer systems with updated hardware and state-of-the-art software and technology.
“Upgrading CCH’s MRI technology helps us assess and diagnose results more accurately and efficiently, ultimately improving patient experience, outcomes, and wait times,” said Dr. Maryam Vakili, Radiologist and Chief of Diagnostic Services at CCH.
The Cornwall Community Hospital (CCH) had originally planned to complete the upgrade in 2027. The significant improvements in processing speed and image quality align closely with the hospital’s strategic priorities of enhancing access to care and reducing wait times. This led to a decision to accelerate the project and bring the upgraded system to CCH one year earlier, allowing these enhanced capabilities to reach our community sooner than originally anticipated.
The core magnet in an MRI machine typically has a lifespan of 30 to 40 years, but its surrounding electronics and software become outdated much sooner, typically within 10 to 15 years. The machine was installed during the construction of our West Wing in 2014, meaning many of its technological components were already reaching the end of their service life and were no longer on par with more modern MRI systems in terms of technology and capabilities.
By replacing the machine’s outdated components while retaining the fully functional core magnet, the result is essentially a brand-new MRI machine equipped with modern technology that will support improved imaging capabilities for years to come.
“This is similar to rebuilding a home from its foundation up while retaining the original base structure,” explains Dr. Anastasios Boubalos, Radiologist and Chief of Staff at CCH. “This approach has allowed us to modernize imaging capabilities without the high cost and structural disruption of a full replacement.”
The MRI upgrade also creates opportunities for expanded functionality. The new system supports more advanced application compatibility, including a planned breast MRI component later this year, which will allow patients to receive this service locally at CCH for the first time. CCH will be working with the Cornwall Community Hospital Foundation this summer to help bring this exciting addition to the community.
CCH continues to proactively invest in the tools and technology required to help ensure local patients can continue accessing high-quality and specialized care closer to home.
About the Cornwall Community Hospital
The Cornwall Community Hospital is an 185-bed acute care hospital providing everything from ambulatory to emergency services, from paediatrics to palliative care. More information, including career opportunities, can be found here: