Myrtue Medical Center Reaches a Milestone with Launch of Permanent In-House MRI Services

Myrtue Medical Center announced a major milestone in local rural healthcare, launching a landmark project to install a permanent, in-house Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system. This significant infrastructure project marks a shift away from the hospital's long-standing reliance on a mobile MRI unit that currently serves patients four partial days each week.

The MRI Suite is made possible through funding awarded as part of Iowa’s Healthy Hometown, which provided Myrtue Medical Center with a Best & Brightest Medical Equipment grant to purchase and install a permanent MRI system. The project is part of more than $2.7 million in Healthy Hometowns funding awarded to Myrtue to strengthen rural healthcare through workforce development, advanced medical equipment, and expanded behavioral health services.

By establishing permanent, on-site MRI capabilities, Myrtue Medical Center is significantly expanding access to advanced diagnostic imaging for patients throughout Shelby County and the surrounding community. The transition to a dedicated, full-time suite represents a vital advancement in local clinical technology, addressing critical healthcare needs and elevating the overall patient experience.

Key Benefits of Permanent In-House MRI Capabilities:

• Enhanced Care: Enables providers to order, perform, and review advanced imaging studies promptly for faster clinical decision-making.
• Immediate & Flexible Scheduling: Transitions from four partial days each week to full-time weekday availability, eliminating lengthy appointment wait times.
• Faster Turnaround Times: Delivers rapid diagnostic results to care teams, accelerating emergency evaluations and ongoing treatments.
• Care Close to Home: Reduces the burden on rural patients by minimizing travel outside the community for specialized imaging services.
• Facility Feature: Designed for maximum patient comfort, easier positioning, and a roomier scan experience.

For rural patients and families, this investment delivers substantial practical benefits. Accessing specialized diagnostic imaging locally significantly reduces the need to travel long distances to larger medical centers. By eliminating transportation barriers and reducing travel time, the hospital helps patients minimize time away from work and family while ensuring they receive top-tier healthcare right in their home community.

"Bringing permanent, in-house MRI technology to Myrtue Medical Center is an achievement for our hospital and the entire county,” said Kile Magner, CEO of Myrtue Medical Center. “Transitioning from a part-time mobile service to an on-site, modern suite allows us to elevate the level of care we deliver every day, ensuring our providers have rapid diagnostic tools and our patients receive timely, high-quality care close to home."

Construction and equipment installation for the new MRI suite will begin in fall 2026, with target completion by September 2027. This project highlights Myrtue Medical Center’s continued investment in state-of-the-art technology and its commitment to serving as the primary healthcare provider.

This project is supported by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of a financial assistance award totaling $209,040,063.71 with 100 percent funded by CMS/HHS. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, CMS/HHS, or the U.S. Government.