Five rural hospitals launch shared mobile MR program in Northern California
Seneca Healthcare District, Modoc Medical Center, Mayers Memorial Hospital District
Plumas, Modoc, and Shasta counties, California
Five rural hospitals in Northern California have partnered to restore and expand access to magnetic resonance imaging through a shared mobile imaging program. The initiative will rotate a mobile MRI unit among critical access hospitals in Plumas, Modoc and Shasta counties, serving a combined population of over 20,000 residents.
This collaboration follows the suspension of MRI services at Seneca Hospital due to equipment issues, prompting a joint effort to ensure uninterrupted diagnostic imaging for their communities. The mobile MRI program is designed as a short-term solution while the hospitals explore acquiring a dedicated unit for joint ownership and management.
“This is a historic moment for rural health care in Northern California,” said Shawn McKenzie, CEO of Seneca Healthcare District. “By working together, we hope to achieve something none of us could have done alone.”
Leaders from the network emphasize the significance of this partnership for rural health care, noting that access to advanced imaging is often limited in these areas due to high costs and logistical challenges. By pooling resources, the hospitals aim to improve patient care and maintain essential diagnostic services for their regions.