Sandhills Regional Medical Center will hold a ground-breaking for its new MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) scanner at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday behind the hospital.

Once complete, the MRI will be the county’s first Open Bore, 1.5 Tesla, MRI system that combines a larger bore, or opening, for claustrophobic patients, and has the ability to capture high-quality diagnostic images.

“This is a historic event in the health care field in Richmond County,” said Michael J. Davis, SHRMC chief executive officer. “We have a dedication to this community to deliver the best care possible and this MRI is another indicator of our commitment to growth. We are honored to be able to offer this benefit.”

Sandhills Regional received the certificate of approval for the fixed-based MRI last year from the Certificate of Need Section, Division of Health Service Regulation, Department of Health and Human Services.

The hospital currently uses a mobile MRI scanner two days per week.

“I am very pleased that we will be able to offer this high tech service to our customers on a full-time basis real soon,” said Bob Driggers, SHRMC Radiology director. “This will allow our patients to have an MRI scan done in a timely and expedient manner, utilizing state-of-the-art equipment.”