Petersburg Medical Center begins seeing MRI patients, sets July 14 open house

Petersburg Medical Center began seeing MRI patients the week of June 25, giving Petersburg residents local access to the service for the first time. Administrator and CEO Phil Hofstadter told the hospital board at its June 25 meeting that the milestone had arrived. "We've definitely reached a milestone for the MRI. We're starting to see patients now in this week, as of this week," he said.

The addition means residents can now access MRI imaging locally at a hospital that already provides 24-hour emergency services and weekday imaging and laboratory services. The FY2027 operating budget the board approved at the same meeting includes an assumption of $2 million in additional revenue from MRI services as a new service line.

The launch follows state approval of the hospital's certificate of need, which Hofstadter announced at the May board meeting as giving the hospital "the green light to move forward on the MRI and provide that service, a new service line to Petersburg." He said at the time that contractor work and process setup would take roughly 30 to 45 days, putting the June patient start on schedule.

Hofstadter said the MRI suite is fully enclosed in a copper-lined room within a room, meeting regulatory requirements for radio frequency shielding. A community member raised questions at the meeting about RF emissions, saying he had heard the concern from at least a dozen people in recent months.

The hospital has scheduled a community open house for July 14 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Wellness, Education and Resource Center. Tours will cover the MRI suite area, a telehealth pod, a public computer lab, and conference rooms. Hofstadter said the event would not be a grand opening, noting the facility has been coming online slowly over the past year.

The board also approved a FY2026 budget amendment increasing the spending appropriation by $1.3 million to cover higher-than-budgeted costs, including contract labor and utilities, offset by approximately $1.5 million in additional revenues. Separately, the board approved a FY2027 capital budget of approximately $1.85 million that includes a planned CT machine purchase budgeted at $700,000 and new hospital beds at roughly $230,000, with administration expected to return to the board before entering any capital lease agreements.

The hospital is also bringing online a new Pixis medication dispensing system in the emergency room and acute care, and a new lab chemistry analyzer to expand the range of tests available locally.