Your Stories

DOC Talk: Dr. Nicholas Lougheed

We asked GBGH Chief of Radiology, Dr. Nick Lougheed, about the recent announcement about how an MRI at GBGH will impact our community.  

Please tell us 2-3 sentences about you as a physician.

I am a partner with Georgian Radiology Consultants, and I have been working at Georgian Bay General Hospital (GBGH) for eight years. I grew up in Barrie and my father was a physician at GBGH. After I completed my medical training, I came home to Barrie, and now split my time between GBGH and Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre (RVRHC).   

What is the best part about being a radiologist?

Radiologists get to work with the latest technology and get involved in all aspects of medicine. There is never a boring day.  

Tell us a bit about MRI technology and how it differs from CT technology?

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerized Tomography (CT) are complementary technologies. MRI excels at imaging of soft tissues and is the gold standard for imaging of joints, spines and brains. CT is a quicker scan, and very useful for staging cancers, and examining bone fractures or internal injuries, but many disease processes invisible to the CT scanner are easily seen with MRI.    

What does having an MRI at GBGH mean for our community?

Investing in MRI technology at GBGH will help bring care closer to home for thousands of patients every year providing them with the highest standard of medical imaging technology.  It will mean shorter wait times for MRI exams and service both locally and across our region. Installing an MRI at GBGH will not only make GBGH a centre of excellence in medical imaging but will allow GBGH to attract a wider variety of specialist physicians and surgeons who require MRI exams for patients in their practice.  

How important is it for you and your team to have an MRI at GBGH?  

We want the best care for every patient – which means, using the right technology to ensure a fast, accurate diagnosis.  Our team at Georgian Radiology Consultants recognizes the investment that the community must make to purchase this vital piece of equipment, and we are pleased to commit $100,000 to the campaign.   

If you would like to learn more about the MRI, or make a donation, please click here.

Thankful for amazing care!

When Katie Johns brought her 3-year old daughter, Charley to GBGH in August, she was in critical respiratory distress. 

“When we arrived at the ED, we were immediately taken into the first room behind the triage desks. It was all quite a blur for me as a Mom in crisis,” says Katie. “However, I have to say how amazing the care was that we received during our time there. The incredible group of nurses, and Dr. Gaffney, made an incredibly scary time a little more bearable both for my daughter and myself. I instantly felt like the weight of her care during this critical time had been lifted off of my shoulders by this incredible group of caregivers.”

The team at GBGH stabilized Charley, so that she could safely be transferred to a pediatric care unit at OSMH, and then eventually also to SickKids. But, it was the calm, compassionate care of the team at GBGH that provided great medical interventions and emotional support that truly stood out for Katie.

“I am so thankful for the team at GBGH,” shares Katie. “Dr. Gaffney mentioned that he has kids too, and from one parent to another, thank you for recognizing my panic and helplessness, and meeting it with swift action, excellent care and reassurance that my daughter was going to be ok.”