Highly anticipated MRI unit arrives in Estevan

Elaine Walkom has strongly lobbied for the MRI for years. She donated $2 million toward the project's fundraising efforts. June 2, 2026. (Source: St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation/Facebook)

A long-awaited piece of medical equipment has arrived in southeast Saskatchewan with the installation of an MRI at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan.

The project began with a $2 million donation from Elaine Walkom, who was pictured with the machine as it arrived on the back of a semi truck on Tuesday.

The St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation (SJHF) called Walkom’s donation a “transformational gift” that helped launch the MRI campaign that was carried forward by other donors, volunteers, businesses and officials in the community.

• MRI project for St. Joseph’s Hospital in Estevan receives green light

“What once felt impossible is now becoming reality,” the hospital foundation said in a post on social media.

“While there is still work ahead before the MRI becomes operational, seeing it arrive is a powerful reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with a shared purpose,” the SJHF said in another post.

The arrival of the actual machine built by Siemens Healthineers was preceded by the addition of a modular building to house it in March.

The St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation and the community have fundraised millions of dollars towards a fundraising goal of $6.5 million for the project after the SJHF was given the greenlight to start fundraising in 2024.

Other project partners include St. Joseph’s Hospital, the Government of Saskatchewan and Emmanuel Health.