VESTAL, N.Y. — United Health Services (UHS) and Binghamton University (BU) partnered to bring a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner to the Southern Tier.
The $2.6 million MRI scanner — a Siemens MAGNETOMPrisma 3 Tesla scanner — is located at UHS’ Vestal campus. It makes Broome County home to “one of the most advanced MRI technologies in the region,” Binghamton University contended in a news release. The project is now live and available to serve the community.
This venture brings BU faculty and other partners together to conduct academic and clinical research in areas such as biomedical research — particularly neurosciences — and computer science. Research applications include studies of the human brain, which will “deepen” a scientific understanding of brain disorders, from Alzheimer’s disease to autism, Binghamton University said.
It also enables UHS to offer clinical diagnostics for its patients. The scanner’s clinical applications include diagnosis of brain disease and disorders, cardiovascular disease, and orthopedic injuries. It will also offer the capability for patients to receive cardiac MRIs locally in Binghamton, a service that is currently only available in larger cities such as Syracuse, Rochester, and New York City, the university noted.
“As the two largest employers in the region, UHS and Binghamton University have a history of working together to serve and invest in the community,” John Carrigg, president and CEO of UHS, said in the school’s release. “This partnership between UHS and BU, and specifically this scanner, will open new avenues of research for faculty and provide UHS physicians and patients with the latest advanced diagnostic imaging technology available in the industry.”
Carrigg will tour the newly opened center with Binghamton University President Harvey Stenger on Aug. 24, the school said.
“This public-private partnership will benefit the community by providing the most advanced imaging technology in the region,” Stenger said. “This project is in alignment with the research strategy outlined by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul in her latest State of the State message, and will enhance our ability to attract external funding, as well as build research partnerships with industry and other universities.”