Mason Health is leading the way in its approach to rural healthcare, patient care and the wellbeing of the greater community. And as the current open MRI at Mason Health reaches the end of its lifespan, a revamp of the Diagnostic Imaging Department is underway, with plans to expand diagnostic imaging services and install a new high-field open MRI by the end of 2025.
Mason Health Continues Patient-Centered Care During Installation of New Open MRI
The open MRI is an essential piece of equipment at Mason Health, and can be a more accessible option for patients of different sizes, as well as patients at risk of claustrophobia in more enclosed MRI models. Many patients travel from across the region for testing with this particular MRI design, and each year, Mason Health conducts around 2,000 exams tied to the use of the open MRI.
During the search for a replacement MRI, the diagnostic imaging team at Mason Health studied past referrals, looking for common threads, or features to consider in a new MRI purchase. According to Shane Faford, director of diagnostic imaging for Mason Health, a number of key priorities were identified, including an MRI model that offers a unique experience in the region, is from a reliable company and is accessible for a wide swath of the community. Mason Health selected an MRI model that matched the criteria: the OASIS Velocity High-Field Open MRI from Fujifilm.
The installation of the new MRI is one part of the Mason Health Campus Master Plan, which identifies the current and future needs of the hospital district. The new MRI is being installed in a separate area that is still near the current MRI. This allows the current MRI to be available to patients until the new MRI has been installed, undergone the proper testing and is fully operational.
Right now, construction is in progress to convert the Ellinor and Pershing conference rooms at Mason General Hospital into a home for the new MRI. There is an additional construction project to move the Ellinor and Pershing conference rooms to a new conference center that will be based in the lower level of Mason General Hospital.
According to Brent Wilcox, a director at OAC Services, replacing the current MRI at Mason Health has required significant preparation related to construction timelines, logistics and patient care to ensure the new MRI is available to patients before the current MRI reaches its end of life. And the team has worked to resolve a number of hitches that have popped up, from building out a proper structure for the new MRI, to figuring out a way to get the new MRI inside the hospital building.
This construction project will include the expansion of diagnostic imaging services at Mason Health, including the growth of cardiology and ultrasound services and the installation of a treadmill room. 5,500 square feet of clinical space inside Mason Clinic is also being developed, and an additional exam room is being built inside Mason Health’s Eye Care Services.
Mason Health Foundation’s Quality Care Open Tournament Returns to Mason County in July
Over the summer, a series of fundraising events from the Mason Health Foundation are an opportunity for community members to have fun, while also uniting to support the hospital district. The annual Mason Health Foundation Quality Care Open Golf Tournament is set to take place on Friday, July 11, 2025, at Alderbrook Golf & Yacht Club in Union.
CDW returns as the top Platinum level sponsor! To register a team or to get golf tournament details, please call the Mason Health Foundation Office at 360.427.3623 or send an email to foundation@masongeneral.com. You may also visit us the Mason Health website.
Proceeds from the golf tournament will help benefit the new high-field open MRI. The tournament welcomes golfers of all skill levels to enjoy a summer day out on the course and take in the exceptional views. The Quality Care Open will feature a shotgun start at 10 a.m., with a fun slate of activities planned throughout the day, including games from Dixon Golf and BackSwing Golf Events.
The tournament’s Hole-in-One contest will take place on Hole Nine and will be sponsored by Arnold Smith Insurance. There will also be a Closest to the Pin Game, Putting Contest, Longest Drive and Shortest Drive competitions. A wide swath of the community works together to ensure a smooth event, including the event planning team, dedicated volunteers and sponsors.
Bikers for Babies and the Business Luncheon & Confections Auction Are Set to Return This August
On August 9, the Warrior Angel Riders will be inviting fellow motorcyclists to hit the road during the annual Bikers for Babies event, in support of the Mason Health Birth Center. Bikers for Babies was born in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Mason Health Foundation was seeking partnership with different facets of the community.
This year, the event will begin at McNamara’s Pub and Eatery in Dupont, and registration begins at 9 a.m. McNamara’s opens at 8 a.m. and participants are invited to arrive early and enjoy breakfast. The event will include a “poker run,” where riders and passengers gather playing cards at checkpoints on the event’s route, alongside other games and a raffle. The event will conclude at The River’s Edge in Tumwater, where participants can listen for prize announcements and continue the festivities. This year, Bikers for Babies will help to fund a new portable ultrasound unit for the Birth Center.
On August 22, local professionals can spend an afternoon networking, vying for sweet treats and supporting a good cause through the Business Luncheon & Confections Auction.
Attendees can bask in the Amalfi Coast theme and Italian-inspired lunch buffet at Little Creek Casino Resort. A dedicated group of community members and culinary enthusiasts donate a slate of desserts, ranging from triple berry pie, to chocolate Oreo cheesecake, and bidding is known to be competitive. Attendees can purchase individual tickets, or the whole work team can join the Friday event with reservation of an eight-top table. Proceeds from the Business Luncheon & Confections Auction will benefit the new high-field open MRI.
To learn more about construction updates, diagnostic imaging services, and upcoming summer fundraising events, visit the Mason Health website.
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