RICHMOND HILL, Ont. — Schroeder Ambulatory Centre (the “Centre”) has officially launched its OHIP-funded Diagnostic Imaging program, introducing CT and MRI services to support patients and referring physicians across the region.
The program began clinical operations on April 7, when the first OHIP patient was scanned at the Centre. Referrals had opened earlier in March, with bookings starting shortly after, marking a coordinated rollout from referral intake through to care delivery.
The new service is designed to complement the broader healthcare system by supporting timely access to high-quality diagnostic imaging in a community-based setting.
“At the Centre, we were founded to alleviate pain, restore mobility, and help build a stronger, more responsive healthcare system. Expanding access to advanced CT and MRI imaging is fundamental to that mission – because faster, high-quality diagnostics drive earlier intervention and better outcomes. The impact is clear: patients get the answers they need sooner, clinicians can act with greater precision, and the system as a whole operates more efficiently. This is how we bring innovation and compassion together – to move people out of pain, back to mobility, and forward with confidence.” said Walter Schroeder, Chair of the Board of Directors and Founding Donor.
Supporting access within the healthcare system
The launch reflects years of planning and collaboration with clinical leaders and system partners, and marks an important step in expanding diagnostic imaging capacity within the region.
“This is really the point where we can begin delivering on what we’ve built,” said Dr. Steve Gazzola, Director of Diagnostic Imaging. “We are here to support patients and referring physicians by adding capacity and helping ensure people can access imaging when they need it.”
A central focus of the program is supporting patients who are waiting for imaging as part of their care journey, while working alongside hospitals and community providers.
“We are working to support patients who are waiting for answers,” said Dr. Gazzola. “Diagnostic imaging plays an important role in understanding what is going on, and improving access helps move care forward with greater clarity.”
The program is fully integrated within provincial imaging systems, allowing results to be shared with physicians and specialists as part of ongoing care.
“Our images and reports are available through the provincial imaging systems,” said Dr. Gazzola. “That ensures physicians and specialists can access results and continue care seamlessly.”
A patient-focused approach to imaging
The Centre’s approach combines advanced imaging technology with a care model that emphasizes time, communication and patient comfort.
“Our technology is important, but it is only one part of the experience,” said Catherine Park, Manager, Diagnostic Imaging. “We have built a team that is focused on both delivering high-quality imaging and supporting patients throughout their visit.”
Park said the ambulatory setting allows staff to take a more personalized approach, while remaining aligned with established care pathways and clinical standards.
“In any healthcare setting, there are pressures and priorities,” she said. “Here, we have the ability to spend more time with patients, to listen and answer questions, and to make sure they have an exceptional patient experience.”
This approach is especially important for patients who may face challenges during imaging, including mobility limitations, language barriers or unease related to the exam.
“Our team is very mindful of those challenges,” said Park. “We are able to guide patients through the procedure, explain what to expect, and adapt where needed so they feel more comfortable and confident during their visit.”
The physical environment of the Centre also supports this experience, with modern, open spaces designed to feel calm and organized from the moment patients arrive.
“When patients walk in, they see a space that is clean, bright and welcoming,” said Park. “That first impression can help reduce stress and set the tone for the rest of the visit, especially for exams like MRI.”
Advanced imaging equipment supporting care
The Diagnostic Imaging program is supported by advanced CT and MRI technology that enables the delivery of detailed, high-quality imaging across a wide range of clinical needs.
This includes high-performance CT imaging and both 1.5T and 3T MRI scanners, allowing the clinical team to select the most appropriate imaging approach based on each patient’s needs.
The Centre is also equipped with a weight-bearing orthopedic CT scanner, one of a limited number available in Ontario. This specialized technology captures 3D images while patients are standing, providing valuable insight into joint function under natural load, particularly for the hip, knee, ankle and foot.
Together, these systems support more precise imaging and help clinicians better understand how the body functions in real-world conditions, supporting diagnosis and care planning.
While the technology plays a key role, staff emphasize that it is the combination of equipment, workflow and clinical expertise that enables consistent, high-quality care.
Coordinated care for referring physicians
For referring physicians, the Centre has implemented processes to improve communication and visibility throughout the referral journey.
“We are focused on keeping referring physicians informed at each stage,” said Rishita Peterson, Director of Interprofessional Practice and Education. “From booking through to completion, that communication helps support coordinated care.”
Referring providers are notified when appointments are booked, changed or missed, helping them stay connected to their patient’s progress and plan next steps accordingly.
The referral process has been designed to align with existing workflows, making it straightforward for physicians to refer patients and access results without disruption to their practice.
Building on a strong foundation
The Centre is already seeing strong interest from physicians and patients, with growing awareness of the new service across the community and healthcare network.
“Diagnostic imaging is a key step in care,” said Rishita Peterson. “By working alongside our partners and supporting access, we can help strengthen the overall patient journey.”
As the program continues to grow, the Centre will build on this foundation to support patients, referring physicians and healthcare partners with reliable, accessible diagnostic imaging.
“By opening, we can now start to move that needle and improve timely access to care,” said Dr. Steve Gazzola, Director of Diagnostic Imaging. “That is where we begin to make a real impact.”