Seton Health identified the need to add a 1.5T (Tesla) MRI and second CT to St. Mary's Hospital. The chosen site was adjacent to the existing CT unit and Operating Room suite on the first floor and administration offices on the second floor.

Seton saw an opportunity to increase the size of the addition to solve a number of additional hospital shortcomings. The increased size provided more medical record, mechanical, and outpatient clinical function space, as well as a sorely needed upgrade to administrative offices.

The MRI/CT suite, located within the $2.1-million addition, was designed as a self-contained unit with waiting, interview, in-patient holding, reading, and technician work rooms. The waiting area was designed to not look clinical: it could be a waiting room in any professional office building. Waiting is located on an exterior wall with a large number of windows that overlooks a garden. It is also shielded from inpatient holding and clinical spaces. The non-clinical design motif has also been implemented in the MRI/CT area through the use of warm finishes and the inclusion of windows and soffited ceilings with soft lighting in both the MR and CT rooms.