Hospital reputation is growing

Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto is Canada's leading research hospital. So, when Mike Comeau resigned recently to become the MRI technical specialist at Brantford General the Toronto folks were more than surprised.

“To tell you the truth, they were floored,” Mike said recently from his small, cramped temporary office. “They said you got to be kidding. But when I described the MRI program being launched at Brantford General their disappointment quickly turned to envy.”

Construction of the MRI suite is progressing and tomorrow the hatch that was built in the roof when D- wing was constructed will be opened and the expensive MRI magnet will be gently lowered into place.

“This is a beautiful MRI the hospital has purchased,” Mike said. “Siemens is the gold seal of MRI and the unit coming to Brantford General is truly state-of-the-art. The actual MRI suite is laid out very well with large windows and lots of natural light. Believe me when I say Brantford's MRI suite will be the envy of everyone in the hospital business.”

The windows that Mike talks about were part of the grand plan when hospital staff and architects designed D- Wing. In many hospital departments in the tower including the critical care unit, mammography, cancer clinic, etc. expansive windows allow natural sunlight to stream in. The benefits to our patients are huge.

“For MRI patients the windows are a significant benefit,” Mike explained. “Many patients become very claustrophobic when they are in the MRI machine for their 30- minute scan. Frequently they become anxious when they enter the department. The stainless steel counters and such found at other MRI facilities do not create an environment that is conducive to allaying patient's fears. Patient comfort is a must- after all they need to remain still for a half an hour. Making our MRI suite as pleasing as possible means we can reduce the number of failed exams that leads to rescheduling and additional costs.”

Mike has been with Brantford General for only a few weeks but already he has been pleasantly surprised. “In most hospitals people don't acknowledge others as they walk down the hall. The working environment here is very warm and many people have come up to introduce themselves. I must admit it takes you back at first.”

After graduating as an ‘imaging tech' Mike has worked in general x-ray, CT and MRI at London Health Sciences, Trillium Health Centre in Mississauga and Hamilton Health Sciences. For the past three and a half years he was with Princess Margaret Hospital in downtown Toronto. He commuted in for his 13-hours shifts three days a week- from Brantford. “My wife does clinical research at Western University so we chose to live in the middle- in Brantford.”

By living here in Brantford Mike has followed the hospitals pursuit for an MRI very closely, saying, “I can tell you every story the BGH and community has gone through for approval of MRI. I did my research and this hospital's reputation is growing. All along I was hoping that the MRI would be approved because I thought I would be a very strong candidate for the job.” No kidding.

Princess Margaret Hospital's loss is Brantford General's gain.

Gary Chalk is senior executive director- public affairs & development for the Brant Community Healthcare System. Brantford General is a regional health centre providing primary, emergency and specialized services. The Willett, Paris is a multi-service health centre providing urgent care, primary care and community outreach programs.