VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital adds new CT scanner to meet continually rising demand for high quality imaging
The new CT scanner brings clearer, sharper digital imaging and timely diagnosis to patients in Southside Virginia.
October 15, 2025
VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital leaders, community leaders and hospital staff cut the ribbon on the region’s newest CT scanner. Carrie Poythress, Enterprise Marketing and Communications)
By Shea Wright
Every day, patients rely on the computed tomography scan, more commonly known as a CT scan, to give them answers about their health. For the roughly 102,000 people living in five counties in Southside Virginia and Warren County, North Carolina, there is only one place they can access this life-changing service – VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital (CMH).
While CT scan use in the United States has increased more than 50% in the past decade, CMH is expected to see a more than 200% increase in demand by 2027.
In anticipation of this rising need, the hospital recently installed Siemens Healthineers’ SOMATOM Pro.Pulse outpatient CT scanner. It offers high-definition scans of the head, neck, chest, abdomen and pelvis, generating clearer imaging to aid with diagnosing and assessing disease, as well as detecting and evaluating injuries such as bone and leg fractures.
Whether it’s used during an emergency or a routine appointment, the new scanner’s advanced capabilities expand the range of diagnostic imaging available to help patients get answers faster.
“Bringing advanced imaging to CMH strengthens the foundation of rural health care, giving our community access to faster diagnoses, more treatment options and better health outcomes right here in South Hill,” said Sheldon Barr, president of VCU Health Community Memorial Hospital.
The clearer imaging provided by this CT scanner can also help care teams catch problems earlier, plan treatment more precisely and get patients back to health faster.
CMH unveiled the new scanner during a ribbon cutting last week, giving residents, patients, staff and community leaders a chance to see the new technology up close.
“Every detail of this scanner was designed with patients in mind, from its AI-assisted imaging and precision positioning to its ability to deliver clearer scans with less radiation exposure,” said Kimberly Walker, MAEL, RT, director of radiology. “It’s about giving our community faster, safer answers and the confidence that world-class care is right here at CMH.”
