SMGH Foundation Celebrates Completion of MRI Campaign and Recognizes Gift from London X-Ray Associates

Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital Foundation was proud to welcome donors, hospital leaders, physicians, staff, and community supporters on June 16 for a special evening celebrating the successful completion of the MRI fundraising campaign and recognizing a significant gift from London X-Ray Associates.

The event marked an important milestone for local healthcare and for the many partners whose generosity helped make MRI services at Strathroy Middlesex General Hospital possible.

London X-Ray Associates has a long and valued history with SMGH. For more than five decades, LXA and the hospital have worked together to strengthen diagnostic imaging for patients across the region. That longstanding partnership has helped shape access to high-quality imaging close to home and played an instrumental role in bringing MRI services to our community.

The evening also celebrated the extraordinary generosity and leadership of the donors who helped make this project possible, including Bill and Lynne Gray, L.H. Gray & Son Ltd., Marilyn Buttery, Lynne Lawrence, and CommonWealth Financial, along with the many community members whose support helped bring the campaign to completion.

With the support of London X-Ray Associates’ gift, the Foundation reached its $8 million fundraising goal for the MRI project.

This was a remarkable community achievement. Bringing MRI to SMGH involved much more than acquiring equipment. It also required relocating the outpatient physiotherapy program to the Shops on Sydenham Mall and redeveloping hospital space to create the MRI Suite. From approval to activation, the project moved forward in just over two years — a testament to the commitment, collaboration, and effectiveness of the hospital team, project partners, and donor community.

Reaching an $8 million goal in such a short period of time also speaks to the extraordinary generosity of this community and its shared commitment to ensuring local patients and families have access to the equipment, technology, and compassionate care they need close to home.

The impact of MRI services at SMGH is already being felt by patients and families across the region. By the end of May, the MRI team had completed more than 4,588 scans in just over 3,860 operating hours. MRI service hours were extended to 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Monday to Friday — approval granted faster than at any other site in the province. Since the suite became operational, no SMGH inpatients have required transfer to another facility for MRI imaging, except in rare cases requiring highly specialized scans.

These are more than impressive numbers. They represent faster diagnosis, improved continuity of care, less travel for patients and families, and more timely access to advanced imaging close to home.

Guests at the celebration also heard a moving patient story reflecting the life-changing value of local MRI access. One patient shared deep gratitude for having MRI care available at SMGH and believed that access helped save their life.

The evening program featured remarks from Michelle Hancock, CEO of SMGH Foundation; Julie McBrien, President and CEO of Middlesex Hospital Alliance; Matt Bellia, Chair of the SMGH Foundation Board of Directors; and Dr. Garvin and Dr. Islam on behalf of London X-Ray Associates.

The MRI Suite, located within the Bill & Lynne Gray, L.H. Gray & Son Ltd. Diagnostic Imaging Department and featuring the Marilyn Buttery Lynne Lawrence CommonWealth Financial MRI Suite, stands as a lasting example of what is possible when philanthropy, partnership, and community come together around a shared vision.

We invite you to view the photos below to see highlights from this special evening of celebration and gratitude.

The Foundation extends sincere thanks to London X-Ray Associates, to its major donors, and to the many supporters who helped make this remarkable milestone possible. Together, they have helped bring exceptional care closer to home and made a lasting difference for patients and families across our communities.