• Patients will benefit from enhanced imaging, improved comfort, and faster scans
• The project was supported by community donors and a grant from HRBT Foundation
HUDSON, N.Y., JULY 14, 2025 — Columbia Memorial Health (CMH) unveiled new, state-of-the-art medical imaging technology that promises an enhanced experience for patients at an event on Wednesday, July 9.
The new Philips Ingenia Ambition 1.5T S advanced MRI machine allows for faster scans, superior image quality, and an immersive audiovisual experience, which helps calm patients and guide them through their exams, potentially reducing anxiety and improving overall comfort. The machine reduces acoustic noise up to 80 percent and incorporates positive, peaceful visuals for patients during scans. MRI exams are also up to 50 percent faster than other scans.
The new suite is the latest addition in the hospital’s commitment to providing the highest quality care to the community and keeping pace with the latest advancements in medical technology. In late 2024, CMH installed an O-scan machine, a non-immersive MRI machine, at their Bone and Joint Center on Fish and Game Road in Hudson.
The acquisition of the MRI machine was made possible by a generous grant from the HRBT Foundation and additional community support to the CMH Foundation.
“We are incredibly grateful to the HRBT Foundation and our community for their generosity in helping us open this suite and bring this quality imaging technology to our campus in Hudson.” said Dorothy Urschel, president and CEO of Columbia Memorial Health. “This machine further expands our imaging capabilities in Hudson, allowing us to provide more comprehensive scans closer to home than we had before.”
Carl A. Florio, President of the HRBT Foundation, said, “Our Foundation and its predecessor, Hudson River Bank & Trust, have supported CMH for over 30 years. Our investment in CMH and this innovative technology is part of our ongoing commitment to keep health care local and make a meaningful difference. We are pleased to support the continued exceptional care provided by the hospital and its dedicated staff.”
CMH Foundation Vice Chair Richard Byrne said, “This is another example of how the generosity of our community provides CMH with the most advanced technology to care for the people of Columbia and Greene counties. We are enormously grateful to the HRBT Foundation and all our donors who have made this acquisition possible.”
Columbia Memorial Health offers comprehensive imaging services at locations in Hudson, Catskill, and Valatie. For appointments, call 518-828-8224, option 4.
About Columbia Memorial Health:
Columbia Memorial Health has served the Hudson Valley since 1893. Comprised of a 192-bed acute care hospital in Hudson, New York, and more than 37 primary and specialty care centers serving patients in Columbia, Greene, and Dutchess counties, Columbia Memorial Health provides services to more than 110,000 residents, with a focus on primary care, health education, and advanced surgery. Columbia Memorial Health is a member of the Albany Med Health System, which also includes Albany Medical Center, Albany Medical College, Glens Falls Hospital, Saratoga Hospital, and the Visiting Nurses. The region’s largest locally governed health system, it has 1,520 beds, more than 900 physicians, and 125 outpatient locations serving the region’s three million people.
# # #
For media inquiries, contact:
Rob Sager
518-262-3421
sagerr@amc.edu