funding
the
future.

FUNDRAISING FOR THE FUTURE OF HEALTHCARE

ALMONTE GENERAL HOSPITAL FAIRVIEW MANOR FOUNDATION

From left to right: Diane Stecca (Manager, Diagnostic Imaging- Almonte General Hospital), Jeanie (Almonte resident and first patient to use the CT scan) and Katie Neill (Team Lead CT Technologist).

A New Era of Diagnostic Imaging Begins at Almonte General Hospital: CT Scanner Officially Up and Running

The Mississippi River Health Alliance (“MRHA”) is excited to announce that Almonte General Hospital (“AGH”) has reached a major milestone: its new CT scanner is now operational, with the first patient successfully scanned last week. This achievement marks a significant advancement in local healthcare, allowing residents to access vital diagnostic imaging services close to home, without the need to travel long distances.

The $3 million project, fully funded through generous community donations, has brought CT imaging technology to Almonte for the first time. The Almonte General Hospital/Fairview Manor (AGH/FVM) Foundation played a vital role in fundraising, with contributions from over 2,200 donors, including a transformational gift from Art and Helen Levi, whose generosity has been recognized by naming the Helen & Art Levi Diagnostic Imaging Department.

“This is a transformative moment for our hospital and the entire region,” said Brad Harrington, President and CEO of the MRHA. “Having the CT scanner here ensures faster, more accurate diagnoses and enables us to deliver high-quality, timely care close to home.”

The CT scanner’s 360-degree cross-sectional imaging allows physicians to diagnose a wide range of conditions, including fractures, tumors, heart disease, and stroke. By providing these services locally, AGH is helping to reduce wait times and improve patient outcomes.

Before the installation of the scanner, AGH patients had to be referred to other hospitals for CT scans, often resulting in delays. Now, patients can receive rapid diagnostic results at AGH, allowing for timely interventions and more efficient care.

“Access to this advanced technology is a game-changer for our community,” added Dr. Melanie Fortune, Chief of Staff at AGH. “Earlier diagnoses mean earlier treatments, which ultimately leads to better outcomes for our patients.”

In addition to celebrating this milestone, the Mississippi River Health Alliance is proud to recognize Sonographers Week (October 6-12), honouring the essential contributions of Sonographers in healthcare. These professionals play a critical role in providing the diagnostic insights needed to guide treatment and improve health outcomes. Their dedication helps ensure that the MRHA hospitals deliver the highest standards of care every day.

Almonte General Hospital Cuts Ribbon on New CT Scanner

Almonte General Hospital and all community patients now have access to CT Scanner tests closer to home, thanks to a successful public fundraising campaign. The scanner has been installed and will be fully functional in the coming weeks. More than 100 guests, including donors, volunteers, local politicians and staff gathered at the Hospital this afternoon to celebrate bringing CT to Almonte. Completely funded through community support, the $3.2 million diagnostic tool was shown off through videos and pictures during the ribbon cutting ceremony much to the delight of the crowd, all of whom had contributed in some way to the CT Scan Campaign.

 According to AGH Chief of Staff, Dr. Melanie Fortune, “This CT Scan is an incredible win for our community. Due to increasing need, wait times for CT imaging across the Ottawa Valley are longer than ever. Having a CT scanner here in Almonte will help our local patients and their families by getting testing when they need it and closer to home.” 

As part of the celebration, Foundation Chair Seth Richards announced that the diagnostic imaging department at the Hospital will now be named the Helen & Art Levi Diagnostic Imaging Department. Both the board of the Foundation and the board of the Mississippi River Health Alliance voted unanimously to name the department to recognize the transformational generosity exhibited by the Levi’s. They have now given over $1 million to support the Hospital and Manor. 

“Having access to a modern, CT Scanner within our community’s hospital would not have been made possible without the exceptional support of the community, led by Art & Helen Levi,” said Foundation Board Chair Seth Richards.  “On behalf of the Foundation, we want to thank everyone who contributed, and worked tirelessly to see this milestone achieved.” 

More than 10,640 gifts were received towards the CT campaign from approximately 2,226 donors. The average gift was $2,547. In addition to financial contributions, approximately 100 people volunteered as board members or at events and activities helping to raise funds. 

“I am pleased and honoured to be the new President and CEO of the Almonte General Hospital at such an exciting time”, said Brad Harrington, President and CEO of the Mississippi River Health Alliance. “I joined the organization in May 2024 and have continually been impressed by the hospital team and community that I have met. It is nothing short of phenomenal what you have been able to accomplish. I look forward to meeting many more of you in person so that I can shake your hand and share my appreciation for making a CT possible for our community.” 

CT Scan (computed tomography) is a rapid, 5 – 10 minute, painless exam that combines the power of X-rays with computers to produce 360-degree, cross-sectional views of a patient’s body. CT is able to image bone, soft tissue, and blood vessels all at the same time. It provides the radiologist with details of bone structure or injuries, diagnosing lung and chest problems and detecting cancers. Currently, all patients requiring CT scan, both inpatients including ER, and outpatients, as well as patients from the region referred by their family physicians, are sent to another hospital such as Smiths Falls or Queensway Carleton Hospital.

Vendor Chosen For CT Scanner Project at Almonte General Hospital

Following a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, GE HealthCare Canada has been chosen to provide the new CT Scanner at Almonte General Hospital.

The first patients will be welcomed by late spring or early summer next year.

“GE HealthCare has an excellent reputation and extensive experience in the healthcare field,” noted Mary Wilson Trider, President & CEO. “They are providing a turnkey solution including design work and renovations as well as supplying and installing the equipment.”

The Almonte General Hospital Fairview Manor Foundation is fully funding the project with its commitment of $3.2 million and has already raised $1.8 million. Generous donors have committed an additional $700,000 in pledges and the Foundation’s Cabinet, under the leadership of Seth Richards, is working with the community to raise the final $700,000.

“We are grateful,” said Rob Scott, Chair of the AGH FVM Foundation. “Many years ago, Hospital leadership identified CT scan as the most important piece of diagnostic equipment needed to continue to provide the best quality care here at AGH. This community, through its generous support of our Foundation, made it happen. The health of hundreds of our residents will be impacted by this new CT starting late next spring and for many years to come – and that’s something we can all be proud of.”

Computerized tomography (CT) scans use x-rays and computers to create cross-sectional, 3D images of the body. The pictures show detailed, thin ‘slices’ of the body, providing faster and more accurate diagnosis. Once operational, the CT Scanner will be an important diagnostic tool close to home and will support reduced wait times across the region.

Detailed drawings are now being finalized for the building permit application and final Ministry of Health review. Minor renovations to relocate the Ultrasound Room at AGH will pave the way for construction to begin. Additional technologists will support the new equipment. 

Contrary to popular belief, hospital equipment is NOT funded by the government.

Instead, it is primarily funded through community donations.
Over the last decade, millions of dollars worth of equipment has been made possible thanks to donations from the community at the Almonte General Hospital and Fairview Manor.

your health.
your community.
your hospital.

We’ve added new x-ray ultrasound and anesthesia machines, IV pumps, and specialized mattresses and beds. Our next major priority is to bring a CT Scan to Almonte. Donations from the community allow us to offer a higher standard of care, eliminating the need for inconvenient trips into Ottawa from Mississippi Mills.

There are many ways to give.

Click below to find out your way to give.

All of our progress to date has been made possible by people and organizations in our community. Please donate now to help enhance the standard of care and enjoy the tax benefits of your altruistic action!