Vote for Free MRI

For Immediate Release, written by N & C - Amy Kolb Noyes

11/29/2007




Copley Hospital could win a free MRI, but only if the community takes action.  Copley has entered a video contest, sponsored by MRI manufacturer Siemens Medical Solutions.  Siemens is giving away its newest MRI system to the eligible hospital that secures the most votes for its video, posted at www.winanmri.com.
MRI stands for Magnetic Renonsance Imaging.  MRI systems are diagnostic tools that place the patient in a strong magnetic field in order to take images of internal organs, allowing doctors to see inside the body without invasive surgery.  Copley is eligible to participate in the contest because of its small size, less than 180 beds, and the fact that it does not currently have a fixed-site MRI.
Copley's video was just posted this week, and has some catching up to do vote-wise.  Copley is hoping community members will go online, watch the two-minute video and vote for Copley.  One vote per day can be registered per computer.
"This is a fantastic opportunity for Copley, and our community," stated Jill Baker, the hospital's community outreach coordinator.  "Now we need everyone to visit the website and vote for our video."
Some hospital entry videos are humorous; others make a rather poor attempt at humor.  Copley chose the serious route, submitting a video featuring Copley doctors and others explaining what an MRI would mean for our community hospital. Copley marketing consultant Peter Wilder, who is also featured in the video, worked with local producer Caro Thompson to put the video together.
Featured in the video are doctors Hartley Neel, MD (Radiologist); Bryan Huber, MD (Orthopedic Surgeon) and Jean Marie Prunty, MD (Neurologist). 
Dr. Prunty told the News & Citizen Copley Hospital is particularly deserving because, although it is a small outlying hospital, it serves a large and rural geographical area.  The population Copley serves is also diverse, from skiers visiting Stowe to farmers around Hardwick.
"Some of my patients have never left their home town," said Prunty.
While a mobile MRI visits Copley two days a week, Prunty said you can't scehdule emergencies, which are often when MRIs are needed.  She said a visit to the emergency room is scary enough, but it can be down right horrifying for patients to be reloaded into an ambulance, especially when poor winter driving conditions.
"It's so scary and so awful to have to get back in the ambulance," said Prunty.
Prunty is the only full-time Neurologist in this part of the state, including the Northeast Kingdom.  While she said there are a million clinical reasons to have an MRI, it's hard for a small hospital like Copley to justify the expense.  The Magnetom Essenza model Siemens is giving away sells for $800,000.  Other systems of similar magnet strength run as high as $1.5 million.
"It's going to help them," Prunty said of community members who can go online and vote.  "It's going to help the community.  It behooves them to get on the website and vote."
The contest closed on December 31st.  Copley is urging community members to "vote often and help Copley bring this valuable technology to our community."

Contact Information
Amy Kold Noyes
Writer
News & Citizen
802-888-2212