Yearly Archives: 2021

GANADO, AZ – Navajo Health Foundation – Sage Memorial Hospital Board is excited to announce it has added Hitachi’s Oasis High-Field Open Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) system to its list of diagnostic offerings. The Oasis has an accommodating design that reassures patients, as well as a broad range of clinical capabilities and features to meet the demand of today’s diagnostic imaging professionals. Headquartered in Twinsburg, Ohio, Hitachi has been a long-time pioneer of diagnostic imaging systems, with more than 1,500 installed in the United States.

Hitachi has put a great deal of emphasis on making patients comfortable during their MRI exam. The inside of the Oasis gantry provides a 270˚ unobstructed view, which minimizes anxiety and claustrophobia and maximizes a more pleasant environment for the patient during the MRI exam. This also allows the patient to have a family member nearby during the exam for further reassurance.

The Oasis combines unparalleled patient comfort with powerful technology and an ultra-fast workstation to make patient exams quicker and smoother. Its imaging power is further boosted by an array of anatomically specific, optimized receiver coils that allow advanced imaging applications ranging from vascular to orthopedic to women’s health.

“The Hitachi Oasis MRI system is a game-changer when it comes to patient care and comfort,” stated Sage Memorial Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Christi El-Meligi. “This is by far the most advanced MRI technology in Northern Arizona and we are thrilled to have it at Sage Memorial. Due to the unique design and the speed in which the Hitachi Oasis operates, we are now able to accommodate patients with claustrophobia, PTSD and other underlying conditions that make them uncomfortable in confined spaces.”

Sage Memorial Hospital is acquiring the new Oasis MR system to offer physicians and the community access to the most advanced diagnostic imaging techniques currently available in the healthcare industry.

GANADO, AZ – Sage Memorial Hospital is pleased to announce that it received 205 COVID-19 vaccines from Indian Health Services to be made available to the Ganado service area community members. The Sage Memorial pharmacy was able to make available 273 vaccines that were administered on January 13th during a mass vaccination event at the Sage Wellness Center.

Sage Memorial Hospital is currently following the prioritization tiers of the Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices as well as the CDC and federal Indian Health Services. All vaccines administered during the mass vaccination event on January 13, 2021 were provided to elderly members of the community who are 65 years of age and older. The Sage Memorial Hospital Outpatient Clinic staff has also been contacting elderly patients 65 years of age and older, as well as essential and frontline workers informing them of availability and instructions for receiving a vaccine.

Christi El-Meligi, CEO of Sage Memorial Hospital stated, “The Hospital will continue to follow the prioritization guidelines as the community begins to receive the vaccine. Sage will be receiving an additional shipment of 200 vaccinations over the weekend and will hold another mass vaccination event on Tuesday, January 19^th. The vaccines will be given to the categories listed on the phased priority flyer received from the Navajo Nation Department of Health and will be administered on a first come basis. We are hopeful that we will continue to receive additional vaccines in the coming weeks and months.  Sage Memorial urges community members to continue to protect themselves and others by wearing masks and performing proper hand hygiene even after receiving the vaccination. We are relieved that we have the opportunity to administer the vaccine, especially to the frontline workers, as well as our most vulnerable members of the community.”

In order to receive the benefits of the vaccine, individuals must receive a second vaccination.  Community members will receive information during their first visit regarding when they will need to return for the second vaccination. It is imperative that community members return for the second vaccination, since receiving the first vaccine will not protect them from contracting the Covid-19 virus.

Prior to having the vaccine available, Sage Memorial Hospital has and continues to provide the community with testing for the Covid-19 virus. The community can receive a test at Sage Memorial Hospital for the virus Monday through Friday 8:00AM to 12:00PM and 1:00PM to 5:00PM, excluding holidays.

Updates on vaccine availability and events will continue to be provided on the Sage Memorial Facebook page and also on KTNN as additional vaccines become available.  Sage Memorial Hospitalcontinues to encourage the community to wear your masks, wash your hands, socially distance and stay home.

If you have questions regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, please call the Sage Memorial Hospital Outpatient Clinic at (928)755-4639.