A hospital wing and entrance at St. Joseph’s Health Centre are being renamed to honour Myron and Berna Garron for their transformative  $10 million donation to the hospital. Effective Nov. 23, the Our Lady of Mercy Wing and entrance become the Garron Family Our Lady of Mercy Wing and entrance.

Among the largest donations in the history of St. Joseph’s, the Garron’s donation has transformed the hospital’s diagnostic imaging capacity with two new Magnetic Resonance (MR) scanners.

In the spring of 2020, St. Joseph’s Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Department received a new MR scanner and MRI Suite. The energy-efficient scanner is a Siemens Sola 1.5 Tesla MR scanner. It has advanced digital technology features that improve medical imaging by providing faster exam times and diagnoses, and clearer images. The new MR scanner and suite were designed to make the experience of receiving a scan better for patients. Some of the features include a wider and shorter scanner tunnel, frosted glass doors that allow light in, and a back-lit sky ceiling and wall panels that feature calming nature imagery.

“The first phase of the renovation has provided a significantly improved patient care environment, not only with state-of-the-art technology, but also with very pleasant and calming surroundings,” said Heather Wilhelm, Manager of Planning and Redevelopment at St. Joseph’s and Providence Healthcare.

The Garron’s donation will also make possible a second and net new MR scanner, which will mean an increase from just one to two scanners at St. Joseph’s. The new scanner is a Siemens Sola 3.0 Tesla, which the Centre is expecting to receive over the next two years. This advanced MR scanner will expand the depth and detail of MRI testing that the team can perform on patients, and will double the capacity for this form of testing at St. Joseph’s.

“The generous gift by the Garron family of two new state of the art MRIs to the Diagnostic Imaging department at St. Joseph’s Health Centre will mean shorter wait times, better diagnostic quality exams and a wider range of procedures that can be performed.  For example, MR-guided breast biopsies can now be performed locally. The impact is enormous and the biggest gift our department has ever received,” said Dr. Tara Williams, Chief of Diagnostic Imaging, St. Joseph’s.

The Garron’s decision to purchase and donate two new MRI machines with their donation followed a tour of St. Joseph’s where they learned that the Centre was solely dependent on a single scanner.

“Community hospitals are the backbone of our health care system, and every medical procedure and treatment begins with an accurate diagnosis,” said Myron and Berna Garron. “Most often today that means starting with world-class imaging. We are proud to provide this new facility to a respected Hospital like St. Joseph’s and to all the dedicated staff that deliver patient focused care every day.”

“We are so grateful to the Garrons for their support and are proud to recognize their generosity by naming the Garron Family Our Lady of Mercy Wing” said Maria Dyck, President and CEO, St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation.