HINTON, W.Va. – Officials at Summers County ARH Hospital are excited to announce the return of a mobile MRI unit.

The unit, on-site every Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., offers patients an opportunity to receive MRIs close to home.

“It allows our patients the chance to stay local instead of having to travel long distances to receive care,” said Summers County ARH Medical Imaging Director Jeremy Willis. “It also allows them to receive MRIs faster than they would elsewhere, as we can schedule them quickly.”

Willis described the unit, which can provide care for patients up to 550 lbs., as a “short bore” machine, which allows more of the patients’ bodies to remain uncovered.

“It’s more of an open concept and is really good for folks with claustrophobia,” he said.

Summers County ARH CEO Joey Preast said he is excited for the return of the service, which the hospital last offered in November.

“We’re always looking to provide as many valuable services as possible,” he said. “This is a service that is important to our community and to our patients and it shows our commitment to the healthcare in this area.”

Licensed medical providers can schedule appointments for their patients by contacting Summers County ARH Hospital at 304-466-2912.

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Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH), is a not-for-profit health system operating 14 hospitals in Barbourville, Hazard, Harlan, Hyden, Martin, McDowell, Middlesboro, Paintsville, Prestonsburg, West Liberty, Whitesburg, and South Williamson in Kentucky and Beckley and Hinton in West Virginia, as well as multi-specialty physician practices, home health agencies, home medical equipment stores and retail pharmacies and medical spas. ARH employs approximately 6,700 people with an annual payroll and benefits of $474 million generated into our local economies. ARH also has a network of more than 1,300 providers on staff across its multi-state system. ARH is the largest provider of care and the single largest employer in southeastern Kentucky, and the third-largest private employer in southern West Virginia.