DI Team Donates Ultrasound Machines to Support In-Need Communities

Care close to home is at the heart of Quinte Health, and now, thanks to our dedicated Diagnostic Imaging (DI) team, we’re extending that commitment to remote communities in Cuba as well.

Over the years, the department has upgraded several ultrasound units across Quinte Health hospitals to more modern, higher-quality imaging machines, leaving the team with older units no longer in use. Although these idle machines no longer met the current standard of care in Canada, the team wondered if they could still serve a purpose elsewhere.

Meredith Crooks, Charge Technologist, went on a mission to find a new home for the machines. Her search led her to “Not Just Tourists,” an organization founded in 1990 with the mission of delivering medical supplies to underserved and remote areas around the world.

“We are privileged in the fact that we have great Foundations that fundraise the dollars needed for our team to have the highest standard of equipment to serve our communities,” Meredith explained. “There are other areas, like remote parts of Cuba, that are so under-resourced, so underfunded – an older piece of equipment is like brand new to them.”

After connecting with the organization, Meredith arranged for seven ultrasound units to be donated, including two cardiac units. Thanks to the team’s efforts, these machines were delivered to communities in Cuba, where they will continue to make a difference in areas with limited access to medical technology.

Ultrasound machines are vital tools in medical diagnostics, helping to identify and monitor a wide range of conditions. They are commonly used to diagnose pregnancy-related issues, detect tumors, assess organ function, and identify infections or abnormalities in the body. In trauma situations, ultrasounds are crucial for quickly assessing internal injuries, such as internal bleeding, which can be lifesaving. 

The organization recently shared photos of the unit in operation with the DI team and on Facebook. According to Lisa Camp, Manager, Diagnostic Imaging, seeing the photos of the equipment in use was extremely touching.

“I emailed the DI Group including the pictures and some team members said it brought a tear to their eye to be able to be a part of this,” she said. “It was an exceptional thing to do – it will save lives.”

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