St. Croix residents will have the opportunity to take advantage of some of the latest medical technology without leaving the island now that St. Croix MRI/CT is open.
Dr. Jeffrey Guller, a partner at St. Thomas Radiology Associates, said people from St. Croix were flying to their office in St. Thomas, or going to Puerto Rico and the States for the latest in medical imaging. This made the partners at Radiology Associates see the need for imaging services on St. Croix.
This new medical imaging facility, offering state-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), recently opened in Sunny Isle Shopping Center around the corner from Champs.
St. Croix MRI/CT is operated by St. Thomas Radiology Associates in conjunction with partners from the St. Croix medical community. The new practice is designed to complement the health care options already available to St. Croix residents.
“At St. Croix MRI/CT, our goal is to deliver comprehensive, high-quality MRI in an environment that is warm, comfortable and efficient. We will provide services for patients at the highest standard of care available,” Guller said.
According to Dr. George Rosenberg, another partner at St. Thomas Radiology Associates, “The MRI equipment we have purchased for St. Croix MRI produces the highest quality MRI images available with short study times and is far and away the quickest MRI equipment available. In almost all cases referring physicians will receive MRI results of their patients’ studies within 24 hours or less.”
Magnetic resonance is a diagnostic imaging tool that uses a super-conducting magnet and radio frequency waves to generate precise three-dimensional views of internal body structures.
Making patients feel at ease is an essential component of St. Croix MRI/CT’s philosophy, according to Dr. Guller, and the MRI equipment chosen offers patient-friendly features that afford a highly comfortable and quiet experience during the scan, which takes between 15 and 45 minutes to complete.
Technical expertise will be a hallmark of St. Croix MRI/CT, said lead MRI technician Pam Colbert. She recently completed employment at Beth Israel Medical Center, a Harvard teaching hospital.
Colbert is also no stranger to the Virgin Islands, as she formerly worked at St. Thomas Radiology Associates. She brings over 20 years of experience in administering MRI studies to her position on St. Croix.
Colbert says, “MRI scanning is becoming more patient friendly these days. I feel that putting a premium on patient comfort is very important. I’m thrilled to be returning to the territory and excited about getting to know the people of St. Croix.”
Services at St. Croix MRI include breast and vascular MRI services, as well as advanced imaging of the central nervous system, spine and all musculoskeletal imaging. Contrast MRI exams and exams without the use of contrast material will also be offered.
St. Croix MRI/CT will be open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with expanded hours as necessary. To make an appointment, call 778-5840.
MRI exams require a referral from a primary care physician. Medicare and most insurance plans are accepted.
