MedRay Imaging is marking a big milestone this year: 40 years of supplying medical imaging services in the Tri-Cities.
Starting from humble beginnings at the Port Coquitlam X-ray Centre in 1981, as MedRay grew they moved from Elgin Street and Wilson Avenue to Sunwood Square before building their current location on Gordon Avenue in 2005.
They offer x-ray, ultrasound, MRI, bone densitometry, diagnostic mammography and breast cancer screening services.
Just this year, their BC Cancer Breast Screening office moved to a new location at 108-3242 Westwood St.
Today, the team of highly skilled and sub-specialty trained radiologists read diagnostic imaging for tens of thousands of Tri-City residents each year. These are the same radiologists that provide services for both Royal Columbian Hospital and Eagle Ridge Hospital.
MedRay employs some 150 staff members — many of whom are Tri-Cities and area residents — as certified x-ray, ultrasound and MRI technologists and medical office assistants. The technologists all belong to either the Canadian Association of Medical Radiation Technologists or Sonography Canada.
With more than 125,000 patients a year that travel to Coquitlam from across the province, MedRay is undoubtedly one of the busiest community medical imaging clinics in the province.
And customer service is its focus. MedRay’s vision is that “our team shares a common goal: Our patients receive the compassionate care and exceptional service that we want for our loved one. We are committed to providing exceptional service — a commitment that extends beyond our patients to our staff and referring physicians as well.”
For staff, MedRay is a great place to work, as its management strives “to build a work environment that is as respectful, supportive, and team-oriented,” a company spokesperson says. “The staff really get along, we are like family. It’s amazing. If the staff are happy then the patients will be happy and that is our main objective.”
Still, like all businesses over the past two years, the pandemic has changed the way MedRay serves its base. On its website, it lays out its COVID-19 protocols to explain the guest policies around safety. Currently, patients are screened at entry, asked to sanitize their hands, and need to wear a three-layer disposable medical mask before walking into the facility.
MedRay has adapted “the best we can. There is no other option. We are very lucky in the fact we can be so responsive to the external factors,” the spokesperson says. “We try to be nimble in the decision-making but not too impulsive. That doesn’t happen by accident: it happens because we examine what is working well and what is not, and then prioritize based on what is within our control and what is not.”
As for keeping a competitive edge, MedRay has the latest medical imaging equipment and facilities, and offers continuous learning opportunities to staff. “We are very proud of our state-of-the-art clinic, and I think it shows. The MedRay team strives to go above and beyond for their patients and if they miss the mark, we ask ourselves the next question… how can we do better next time?”
Looking toward its 41st year, MedRay will continue to grow and meet the needs of the community.
To learn more about MedRay, visit www.medrayimaging.com.
