SHERIDAN, WYOMING – May 6, 2025 – St. Luke’s University Health Network has announced a landmark investment of over $30 million in GE HealthCare’s advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) technology, reinforcing its commitment to cutting-edge diagnostic innovation and enhanced patient care. This strategic move by the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based nonprofit healthcare network is aimed at expanding access to faster, more precise imaging while significantly improving patient comfort and operational efficiency.
Driving Precision and Efficiency Across the Network
With this investment, St. Luke’s is taking a major step forward in standardizing its imaging capabilities across its network, further aligning with industry trends toward AI-powered diagnostic tools. GE HealthCare’s AI-enabled MRI systems are engineered to deliver enhanced image quality, reduce scan times, and minimize patient discomfort — a critical combination for clinical areas heavily reliant on imaging such as cardiology, oncology, and orthopedics.
“This is a major win for our patients and our community,” said Dr. Robert Fournier, Chairman of Radiology at St. Luke’s. “Medical specialties such as orthopedics, cardiology, and oncology rely on imaging for diagnosis and treatment planning. At St. Luke’s, we are committed to providing the best imaging technology because we understand its vital role in modern medicine.”
AI Integration to Accelerate Imaging and Patient Throughput
Among the standout features of this deployment is GE HealthCare’s Sonic DL AI application, which can reduce scan times by up to 83%, offering the capability to capture cardiac images in as little as a single heartbeat. This leap in efficiency not only increases patient throughput but also contributes to more timely and accurate diagnoses.
Key strategic benefits of the new MRI technology include:
- Significant scan time reductions that enhance patient scheduling and throughput.
- AI-powered image optimization, delivering higher diagnostic precision.
- Patient-centric design, with wider scanners to ease claustrophobia.
- Operational consistency through technology standardization across the health network.
Strategic Expansion of a Long-Term Partnership
This latest MRI investment marks the continuation of a decades-long partnership between St. Luke’s and GE HealthCare. It follows a $30 million investment in GE’s CT technology in 2023 and $11 million in ultrasound systems in 2020.
“We are pleased to build upon our more than 30-year relationship with St. Luke’s to upgrade their MR fleet, including adding artificial intelligence technology,” said Catherine Estrampes, President and CEO, U.S. and Canada at GE HealthCare. “We are proud to work with St. Luke’s to enable greater precision, efficiency, and access to advanced technology for their patients.”
Pioneering Intelligent Radiation Therapy and Medical Training
In a national first, St. Luke’s will become one of the earliest health systems in the United States to implement GE HealthCare’s Intelligent™ Radiation Therapy (iRT) for MR. This software enables more precise and faster radiation therapy planning, potentially shortening the treatment timeline for certain cancers compared to traditional CT-based methods.
“In addition to the tremendous advantages this GE HealthCare technology offers our health system,” Dr. Fournier added, “it presents an invaluable educational opportunity for our physicians in residency and fellowship training programs. They’ll gain hands-on experience with the latest AI-driven imaging technology, placing them at the forefront of next-generation medicine and allowing them to witness firsthand how innovation improves patient care and outcomes.”
Transforming Imaging with Long-Term Strategic Value
This investment positions St. Luke’s as a national leader in AI-enabled diagnostic imaging, delivering long-term value through improved patient outcomes, operational scalability, and medical education. As the healthcare industry intensifies its shift toward personalized, data-driven care, St. Luke’s is proactively setting a benchmark for B2B health partnerships grounded in innovation.
Learn more at https://www.gehealthcare.com