Yuma Hospital & Clinics is excited to announce the launch of its brand-new MRI system, bringing expanded diagnostic capabilities and a more comfortable patient experience to the Yuma community.

This is not the hospitals first MRI, but it is a major upgrade from our previous scanner —introducing advanced technology, better quality imaging, and a dramatically improved design focused on patient comfort.

Patients will immediately notice several enhancements designed to make MRI scans easier and less stressful:

• Shorter scan times;
• A wider bore, making the scanner feel less enclosed;
• A more comfortable, wider table;
• Headphones compatible with any type of music;
• A newly designed, calming MRI suite;

These improvements are already making a difference. In the first week alone, the Radiology Team successfully scanned three patients with significant claustrophobia — patients who were previously unable to complete their MRIs with the old equipment.

The new system brings capabilities that were not previously available, including:

• Abdominal and pelvic MRI;
• Long-bone imaging (humerus, forearm, femur, tibia/fibula);
• Whole-body imaging using multiple coils simultaneously;
• Automatic breathing-pattern detection for clearer abdominal scans;
• A removable, mobile table that allows safe transfers of inpatients, ER patients, and individuals who cannot be wheeled into the MRI room;

The scanner began operations on November 4, and 18 patient scans were completed in the first week, showing strong early utilization.

The MRI project represents a significant investment in rural healthcare. The total cost includes the MRI unit itself, as well as the associated design and construction of the new suite.

The Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA) is generously supporting the project, providing a grant that covers 50 percent of the total purchase and construction costs. Yuma Hospital and Clinics is funding the remaining portion through internal capital planning and community-supported initiatives.

Yuma Hospital & Clinics wants the community to know that this upgrade reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality, patient-centered care close to home. The new MRI allows Yuma patients to stay in Yuma — reducing travel, improving convenience, and ensuring timely diagnosis.

Our team is grateful for the community’s continued support and excited to bring this level of advanced imaging to the region. The future of diagnostic care in Yuma is brighter, clearer, and more comfortable than ever.