Clear image: State-of-the-art imaging facility opens in Madison
Stacy Tribble works on a patient. (Jen Fouts-Detulleo)
By Nick Sellers
An innovative and conveniently located outpatient imaging facility that opened in January has added an extra option for locals looking to stay on top of various medical issues through accurate X-rays, MRIs and other medical detection tools.
Located at 540 Hughes Road, Outpatient Diagnostic Center adds to existing locations in Huntsville and Athens. The facility and its technicians combine to offer MRIs, CT scans, 3-D mammograms, ultrasounds and X-rays, among other tests.
One of the cornerstones of the Madison location is the “true open MRI” machine, officially called Hitachi Oasis. The piece of equipment provides an obstructed view of 270 degrees for patients and the machine’s powerful magnets provide a dynamic image for technicians.
“It’s kind of like the best of both worlds,” MRI technician Jody Watkins said. “It really just speaks for itself.”
Patients in wheelchairs enjoy ease of access to the equipment, and children are able to have parents close by for comfort, if needed. Soft-tissue problems such as tumors and cysts can be detected by open MRI, in addition to sports injuries and other muscular and skeletal tears.
“We’re the only place in North Alabama that has it,” administrator Colette McGill added.
Also offered in Outpatient Diagnostic Center’s Madison location, as well as in Huntsville, is Tomosynthesis, a 3-D imaging technology that detects breast cancer more effective than 2-D technology, McGill explained.
“It allows for more timely and accurate diagnosing,” McGill said. As administrator, McGill oversees all three locations in north Alabama.
Other services offered at the facility include fluoroscopy, nuclear medicine, digital X-rays and bone density scans.
The Outpatient Diagnostic Center is also not affiliated with any hospital or any health network, so hospital fees are avoided during trips to the center.
“All locations are conveniently located, including the Madison location,” McGill said. “You don’t have to pay for parking at our facilities.”
Around 40 staff members are employed at the three locations.
“We do have a friendly, caring staff to tend to your every need,” McGill said.
More information on the facility, which is located on Hughes Road next to Sam & Greg’s, can be found at odcalabama.com. The center may be reached by phone at 256-534-5600.
