JACKSON, Wyo. — For those battling cancer, time is often as critical as treatment. Every day spent waiting for answers feels like an eternity—a painful limbo filled with uncertainty. For oncology patients in Jackson, accessing crucial diagnostic imaging like PET/CT scans can be especially challenging. With only a mobile scanner available once a week at St. John’s Health, patients often face extended wait times, and many need to travel nearly 300 miles to Huntsman Cancer Institute, in Salt Lake City, UT, for faster access.
“Since the arrival of Dr. Melissa Cohen, the first full-time oncologist, in mid-2023, St. John’s Health has reported a 28% increase in monthly clinic appointments and a nearly threefold rise in PET scan frequency,” said Anna Olson, President of St. John’s Health Foundation. “This growth highlights the urgent need for expanded services, and the new PET/CT scanner is a vital step toward meeting increasing demands.”
The planned acquisition of a state-of-the-art Cartesion Prime digital PET/CT scanner—a $4 million investment—will transform diagnostic care for cancer patients and others requiring advanced imaging. It will reduce scan times, deliver exceptional image quality, and allow patients to stay close to home, surrounded by the support they need. The scanner will also expand diagnostic capabilities beyond oncology to conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and frontotemporal dementia.
“This is more than an investment in technology; it’s a commitment to ensuring that everyone in the community has access to state-of-the-art care, right here at home,” Anna concluded.
Join St. John’s Health Foundation in bringing this lifesaving technology to Jackson. To learn more or to contribute, visit stjohns.health/foundation or call (307) 739-7512.
