New CT scanner installed at Sulphur Springs hospital

With a partnering donation from the Hopkins County Health Care Foundation, a new computerized tomography (CT) scanner has been purchased and installed at CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital- Sulphur Springs. The new machine was unveiled during a public ceremony Thursday afternoon.

Father Justin Wiley, CHRISTUS pastoral/spiritual care program manager, was on hand to 'consecrate this precious piece of equipment,' asking that the new machine and those who would be secheduled for screeings using the machine be blessed by it.

“We are so pleased to have been part of making this new equipment available for our community. Through our annual fundraising Gala, Snowflake Campaign, Handbag Bingo, and major gifts solicitations, we raise funds to make the very best medical technology and equipment available for Hopkins County residents. This is a wonderful example of how the combined efforts of the Foundation and hospital result in better healthcare for our citizens,” shared Maleta Reynolds, chair of the Heath Care Foundation’s board of directors.

The Health Care Foundation donated $400,000 in 2021 toward the purchase of the new equipment, which cost in excess of $700,000. The installation required renovation of a room in order to house the CT scanner, so the project was only recently completed. This is the second CT scanner available at CMF-SS. It will help meet the increased volume of patients seen in the emergency department as well as scheduled for screening, CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital-Sulphur Springs Chief Nursing Officer Anitha Sanderson noted. It will mean fewer delays in service and getting diagnosis. It will also mean community members can schedule exams on the state of the art imaging device In addition to community and board members, on hand for the event were CHRISTUS staff, and CHRISTUS dignitaries from Tyler, including Father Justin, Sister Rose and Vice President of Mission Integration at CHRISTUS Health Andy Navarro.

Staff photo by Faith Huffman