Community Support Helps Transform Medical Imaging at Comox Valley Hospital

Photo left to right: Avry Janes, Co-Executive Director Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation (CVHF); Alex Melanson, Medical Imaging Manager for North Vancouver Island; Juvena Burns, Medical Imaging Lead for Comox Valley Hospital; and Rhonda Stevens, Co-Executive Director CVHF.

Thanks to the generosity and dedication of our community, the Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation (CVHF) is proud to celebrate the success of its Diagnostic Imaging Campaign, which raised $1.3 million to enhance diagnostic imaging services at the Comox Valley Hospital. This milestone highlights what can happen when a community comes together to address critical healthcare needs.

“The response from our community has been nothing short of extraordinary,” said Susan Auchterlonie, Board Chair of CVHF. “A need was identified, and people stepped up—showing how much they care about supporting local healthcare. Every dollar raised makes a real difference in the lives of patients and the work of our caregivers.”

The Foundation also acknowledges the Auxiliary Society for Comox Valley Healthcare whose generous $100,000 matching challenge inspired additional community donations and helped propel the diagnostic imaging campaign forward.

The funds raised have already made a tangible impact on patient care.

Six new ultrasound machines are now delivering clearer, more precise imaging for patients while also improving comfort and safety for the healthcare teams who use them every day. Used approximately 14,000 times each year across obstetrics, cancer care, women’s health, and routine diagnostics, these new machines will improve imaging precision, enhance scan quality, and support staff safety and ergonomics.

At the same time, a brand-new MAMMOMAT BRILLIANT mammography unit has replaced aging equipment. The new mammography unit at the Comox Valley Hospital delivers clearer, more detailed images through advanced 3D digital breast functionality—helping ensure breast cancer is found sooner, when treatment is most effective.

In addition, community support made it possible to fund a second portable ultrasound machine for the Emergency Department. With increasing patient volumes, this advanced unit will support rapid cardiac and lung assessments, offering exceptional image clarity and voice-controlled operation to enhance care in urgent and critical situations.

While the community’s fundraising efforts have already delivered these upgrades, the Foundation’s needs assessment for future investment is ongoing, ensuring that every donation reflects the hospital’s most pressing requirements.

The Comox Valley Healthcare Foundation thanks every donor including many local businesses and organizations that got involved.

Your contributions are helping ensure the Comox Valley Hospital continues to be well equipped to provide great care, close to home.