MRI Expansion Improving Access to Imaging in Hardin County; Orthopedic Surgeon Experiences it Firsthand

Key Takeaways:

• OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital’s $2 million MRI department is expanding access to advanced imaging in Hardin County, offering MRI services five days a week instead of relying on a limited mobile unit.
• The new large-bore MRI scanner is designed to create a quieter, more comfortable experience for patients, especially those who may feel claustrophobic or anxious during imaging.
• Since opening, the department has completed nearly 700 MRI exams, reduced the need for patient transfers and helped providers deliver faster diagnoses and treatment plans closer to home.

It's one thing to interpret MRI scans every day in a clinic. It's another to lie inside the machine yourself and experience every sound and sensation firsthand.

For Aaron Fritz, DO, orthopedic surgeon at OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital, that shift happened earlier this year when he became one of the first patients to use the hospital's new MRI department.

When Dr. Fritz needed an MRI for a musculoskeletal condition of his own, he found himself on the other side of care.

"My rheumatologist asked if I could get it done locally," he said. "I said absolutely, we have a brand-new one."

Experiencing the MRI as a patient gave him a new perspective on an investment he now sees benefiting his own patients every day.

"I don't think I got VIP treatment," he said. "I think that's how they treat everybody."

He was impressed not only by the kindness and professionalism of the imaging team, but also by the scanner itself.

"The machine was very quiet," Dr. Fritz said. "The biggest complaints I hear from patients are claustrophobia and the loud noise, and this was a big improvement."

The new MRI features a large-bore design that creates a more spacious feel than many traditional scanners, making the experience more comfortable for patients of all body types. Interim director of imaging, Dylan Black, said the newer technology also operates more quietly than older MRI systems.

"Those who are claustrophobic can tolerate a scan in this unit better," Black said. "It's more comfortable and easier for patients."

The $2 million MRI department was designed to strengthen access to advanced imaging across Hardin County, bringing services closer to home and improving how quickly patients can receive answers. Prior to December 2025, MRI services were provided through a mobile unit that limited availability to just a few days each week, making it more difficult to accommodate urgent needs without delay or transfer.

"We wanted to improve patient access and bring MRI services here five days a week," said Black. "We looked at it and said, 'We can do better.'"

The impact was immediate. On the department's first day, the team completed an inpatient MRI that otherwise would have required a transfer. Today, care teams are seeing faster access to imaging, quicker diagnoses and fewer delays in care.

Since opening, the MRI department has:

• Completed close to 700 MRI exams.
• Expanded MRI availability to five days per week.
• Reduced the need for patient transfers for MRI services.
• Improved turnaround time from provider order to diagnosis.

For physicians like Dr. Fritz, those improvements mean patients can get answers and begin treatment sooner. The upgraded scanner also produces clearer images, helping physicians make more accurate diagnoses while making it easier for patients to understand their conditions.

"We want to save patients that travel time," Dylan said. "The more care we can provide here, the better it is for our community."

For Dr. Fritz, becoming one of the department's first patients reinforced what the investment is really about.

"Having this technology here means our patients can receive high-quality care closer to home," he said. "That's a win for everyone."

To schedule an appointment or to learn more about imaging services at OhioHealth Hardin Memorial Hospital, click here.