Hospital Foundation Kicks Off Two-Year Magnetic Moments Campaign to Purchase MRI Machine

With the closest MRI machines in Owen Sound, London, and Stratford, residents of Huron County must travel significant distances for possibly life-changing scans.

Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) is aiming to have its own MRI machine operation by 2027, but the AMGH Foundation explains that $6,500,000 needs to be raised in a two-year window.

Adding an MRI machine to the local hospital will broaden the range of services available at AMGH and help attract healthcare professionals to the hospital.

In September 2025, priority four patients waited on average 360 days for an MRI at London Health Sciences Centre-University Hospital, 66 days at Stratford General Hospital, and 52 days at Brightshores Health System in Owen Sound.

AMGH Foundation officially launched their two-year Magnetic Moments capital campaign on December 2.

With the goal to raise $6,500,000, the campaign aims to bring an MRI machine, the first in Huron County, to Goderich.

According to the AMGH Foundation, having an MRI machine in Goderich will strengthen regional health care and expand the hospital’s diagnostic services.

“We have a team of dedicated community champions ready to not only raise the funds needed, but reduce wait times, the need to travel long distances for a MRI, and truly strengthen regional healthcare in Huron County,” shared Laura Herman, Chair of the AMGH Foundation.

Approved by the Government of Ontario, the AMGH Foundation has two years to raise the needed funds.

Strategy to accomplish this goal in two years includes major gift solicitations, community appeals, special events, speakers’ tours at local businesses and community organizations, third-part fundraisers, and grant applications.

Magnetic Moments was quietly kicked off during the annual Long Table dinner in August, and Kimberley Payne, Foundation Executive Director, announced the Foundation has raised $960,423 to date.

“What most people don’t realise is that hospital foundations cover the costs of any hospital equipment over $1,000 with funds raised by the community,” explained Payne.

“The $6,500,00 required to purchase and install the MRI machine here in Goderich is no exception.”

Leading the campaign is local doctor and Chief of Surgery, Dr. Tiffany Kittmer, who will be joined by community champions Natasha Fritzley, Liz Higgins-Sager, Vanda McNeil, Justin Reid, Tracy Telfer, and Florence Witherspoon who will serve as campaign cabinet members providing strategic direction.

Ambassadors for the campaign are Ralph Rubino and Pamela Somers, with other community members stepping forward, to assist in securing the funds within the timeline.

“In reviewing the business case submitted to the Government of Ontario and reading the 14 signed letters of support from various government officials, doctors, community and business associations, and all 23 of the radiologists who support our current imaging department, I knew there was strong community support,” remarked Dr. Kittmer.

“These words of support sealed my decision to chair a committee that will certainly leave a legacy in the community.”

While the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the MRI machine is currently live, according to the Foundation, hospital management intends to announce the vendor in January.

Furthermore, structural updates required to house the machine on the ground floor of the hospital will commence in due course. The plan is to instal the unit in 2027 and have it operational in 2028.

For more details or to get involved in the campaign visit https://tinyurl.com/3hjz4c88