news..FONAR Sells 57th Stand-Up MRI, First in Georgia; Largest Radiology Group in Georgia to Interpret Stand-Up MRI Results
Business Wire - October 02, 2003 09:52
MELVILLE, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 2, 2003--FONAR Corporation (NASDAQ-FONR), The MRI Specialist(TM), announced today the sale of its 57th FONAR Stand-Up(TM) MRI scanner, the Company's whole body Upright(TM) imaging system. The scanner was purchased by Medica Stand-Up MRI, LLC and will be installed in the new Medica Stand-Up MRI of Atlanta facility in Atlanta, Georgia. Medica is FONAR's first sale to a customer that applied for and obtained a state-required Certificate of Need (CON) specifically for a Stand-Up(TM) MRI facility.
Robert H. Stephenson, M.D, a director of Medica, stated: "Based on our experience with conventional MRI in our imaging centers, and after considering how the needs of our patients could be better met, we decided on the FONAR Stand-Up(TM) MRI unit. Not only is the scanner more palatable to the patient, it allows us to optimally position the body such that various conditions can be more accurately diagnosed. For example, it has been shown that instability of the spinal column and herniated disks can be seen when the patient stands or bends, often going undetected when the patient is recumbent in a typical MRI machine. This is a new and unique technology that will no doubt attract many physicians and their patients in the area."
Kay Baker, Vice President of Operations for Medica Stand-Up MRI of Atlanta, spearheaded the entire CON project. "Although the process of obtaining a Certificate of Need was arduous," said Ms. Baker, "we are certain that it was a worthwhile effort in order to bring this needed new MRI technology to our community."
Medica has contracted with Quantum Radiology Northwest, P.C. to interpret the exams and provide medical direction for its imaging centers. Quantum Radiology Northwest is the largest non-academic group of radiologists in the state of Georgia. The group provides multiple subspeciality readings including neuro and musculoskeletal MRI interpretations.
Raymond V. Damadian, president and founder of FONAR said, "First, congratulations to Medica, and especially to Kay Baker, for all the time and energy that is required to obtain a CON. What was accomplished was no easy task. Second, we are very pleased that Quantum Radiology Northwest will be doing the radiological interpretations of Medica's Stand-Up MRI exams. It is an honor to be working with such a distinguished group."
Medica Stand-Up MRI of Atlanta will be located at 6590 Powers Ferry Road in Atlanta. Located within the Interstate 285 perimeter (the northwest section of Atlanta) the new center will service the entire metro Atlanta area as well as surrounding counties.
Medica Stand-Up MRI, LLC, which is headquartered in Marietta, Georgia, is owned by a group of healthcare professionals. The company owns two (2) other imaging centers in the state: Medica Forsyth Open MRI and CT in Forsyth County (24 miles north of Atlanta), and Medica at Rabun Open MRI in Rabun County (located in the northeast corner of the state). Both imaging centers are equipped with conventional Open MRIs.
The Stand-Up(TM) MRI, FONAR's Upright(TM) imaging system, is the world's only whole-body MRI scanner with the ability to perform Position Imaging(TM) (pMRI(TM)), i.e. patients can be scanned standing, sitting or bending in the weight-bearing position as well as lying down.
MRI Specialist, Stand-Up, Upright, Position Imaging and PMRI are trademarks of FONAR Corporation.
Be sure to visit Fonar's Web site for Company product and investor information: www.fonar.com
This release may include forward-looking statements from the company that may or may not materialize. Additional information on factors that could potentially affect the company's financial results may be found in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
CONTACT: FONAR Corporation, Melville
Daniel Culver
David Terry
631/694-2929
631/390-9540
