Hospital Anticipating New Addition | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

Board members break ground on facility’s new MRI center

Putnam Community Medical Center board members break ground Thursday on the site of the hospital’s new MRI unit that officials expect to be completed by the end of the year.
Putnam Community Medical Center CEO Mark Dooley speaks about the hospital’s upcoming MRI unit while board members listen in the background.
Positively Putnam FL

Putnam Community Medical Center officials dug golden shovels into the ground outside the hospital Thursday to symbolize construction starting on its new MRI unit.

Construction on the $3.5 million project started Wednesday and is expected to be finished by the fourth quarter of this year.

“I think the thing this does more than anything is provide better, more efficient care for our patients,” Putnam Community CEO Mark Dooley said.

Currently, he said, patients who need MRIs must go to a facility across the street, but the new MRI center, located on the north side of the hospital, will change that, save people money and make things easier.

The MRI unit provides non-invasive and painless procedures using “a large magnet, radio waves and a computer to create a detailed, cross-sectional image of internal organs and biological structures,” according to hospital officials.

MRI scans are used to detect brain abnormalities, spinal cord issues, tumors, joint injuries and heart problems. Breast cancer can also be easily identified with the new technology, according to Putnam Community officials.

Hospital board Chairman Karl Flagg said Thursday was a great day for the community because of the opportunities the technology will provide.

“We have such excellent employees, but in order for excellent employees to remain excellent, they need excellent technology,” Flagg said. “… “We are just so pleased that we have progressive leadership in this institution that is so needed in our community.”