|
Shields MRI is New England' s original and premiere independent MRI provider. A family owned organization, Shields Health Care Group has been committed to unsurpassed patient care and clinical excellence since 1972, when Thomas and Mary Shields opened Madalawn Nursing Home in Brockton, Massachusetts. Recognizing the need for higher standards of comfort and care for Greater-Brockton' s booming senior citizen population, Tom and Mary (herself a nurse) combined a compassionate, patient-centered atmosphere with outstanding medical care, and quickly earned the trust and respect of the local community's seniors and their families. Troubled by the fact that Madalawn patients had to be transported 20 miles north to Boston hospitals for their kidney dialysis treatments, the Shields family set out to bring quality medical care to their community again, opening the Brockton Dialysis center in 1981. By applying the same formula of patient-centered care, Brockton Dialysis Center quickly became the second largest clinic of its kind in New England. A second site would later be added north of Boston in Medford, MA. By the mid-1980's, an exciting new medical imaging technique called Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) began to replace conventional modalities like X-ray and CAT scan. Recognizing the enormous diagnostic potential of this technology, the Shields family sought to make this exciting new resource available to Boston's south suburban residents, and in 1986 opened Brockton Regional MRI. Led by medical director Stephen Sweriduk, M.D., Shields MRI radiologists quickly established a Gold Standard reputation for providing accurate, detailed interpretations of MRI images. This widespread distinction for clinical excellence empowered Shields with the ability to build a team of esteemed radiology experts who sub-specialize in interpreting neurological, musculoskeletal, and vascular applications. Once again, Shields' comprehensive blend of clinical excellence and compassionate regard for patients drew widespread trust and support - this time from hospitals and physicians all over Massachusetts Although outstanding technology and a highly regarded medical staff would serve as the company's foundation, it was Shields Health Care's revolutionary brand of service that made hospitals all over New England take notice. After opening additional MRI centers in Dartmouth, Cambridge, Weymouth, Boston, and Newton, Shields Health Care continued to employ a service-intensive approach by centralizing their scheduling, quality assurance, and billing operations from a single location. This enabled Shields to address the widespread needs of both physicians and patients in a timely fashion. For the first time, patients were able to choose a time and location for their outpatient exam that was convenient for them, while doctors' offices enjoyed outstanding customer service and expedited results. Hospitals quickly learned that Shields MRI was not a competitor, but a tremendous resource and a community partner. Through the 1990's, MRI imaging technology evolved at a breathtaking pace and Shields Healthcare evolved right along with it. Constant upgrades to capital equipment, hardware, and software ensured that Shields MRI patients would benefit from up-to-the-minute advances in medical imaging. Spectroscopy, MRCP, and perfusion/diffusion studies were being performed at Shields MRI facilities before they were available at many Boston Hospitals. By 1994, Shields MRI was scanning one out of every three patients in Massachusetts an impressive statistic considering that Shields owned only one out of every nine MRI machines in the state at that time. As Open MRI scanners were developed, Shields sought out the most sophisticated systems available so that providing patient comfort would not compromise image quality or diagnostic value. Today, Shields Health Care (now Shields MRI) operates a network of MRI centers throughout Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Aside from locations in Boston, Brockton, Dartmouth, Brighton, Weymouth, and Newton, Shields has centers in Worcester, Springfield, St. Luke's Hospital, Leominster, Fitchburg, Cape Cod, Mary Lane Hospital, Franklin Medical Center, Shields MRI & CT of Rhode Island, and Shields MRI at Lahey Clinic Northshore. Shields MRI is a proud partner of: UMass Memorial Healthcare, Baystate Health System, St. Luke's Hospital - New Bedford, South Shore Hospital, Carney Hospital, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Rhode Island Hospital, Rhode Island Medical Imaging, and Lahey Clinic. As technological research continues to present exciting new resources, Shields MRI will remain committed to honoring its role as market leader and industry pioneer by constantly investing in breakthrough technology. Breathtaking new 3-dimensional and cardiac imaging applications are being developed that will revolutionize diagnostic imaging in the years ahead. Now delivering cutting-edge technology and benchmark service to more New Englanders than ever before, Shields MRI's growth and success have not diminished their commitment to respecting the comfort and dignity of their patients. Each member of the Shields family - Tom, Mary, Jack, Carmel, Tommy Jr., and Siobhan - remains proudly and passionately devoted to providing each MRI patient with not only premium diagnostics and clinical excellence, but with a supportive, positive experience and peace of mind. In any service environment it's the people that make a difference. Come meet the Shields' Corporate Team. |
