Radiology

Bear Lake Memorial Hospital Imaging

Bear Lake Memorial Hospital provides the ultimate experience for our patients who need medical imaging. Our new construction imaging suite offers a pleasant, private, comfortable environment for our patients. At Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, you will receive high quality imaging from our certified technologists with our state-of-the-art equipment in the following imaging modalities:

X-ray

Our new X-ray room offers quality imaging with a top-of-the-line Carestream DRX Direct Radiology (DR) system. Modern technology in x-ray imaging offers minimal radiation to acquire a high-resolution image with decreased exam times. We also offer the convenience of bringing the x-ray machine to you in the hospital with a new Carestream DRX portable x-ray unit.

Fluoroscopy (C-arm)

Fluoroscopy is x-ray in real-time to help our surgeons and nurse anesthetists with surgical procedures. The fluoroscopy x-ray unit is called a C-arm. Our C-arm is a Zeihm DR system. Our surgeons use the C-arm to reduce and fix complex fractures and provide precision in hardware placement. The C-arm is also used in epidural steroid injections, arthrograms, joint injections, and other needle guidance procedures.

DEXA

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is an X-ray machine that uses minimal radiation to measure bone mineral density. Our DEXA scanner is a Horizon by Hologic. We recently upgraded to the most current software to improve image quality. Your Physician may order a DEXA scan to diagnose and follow osteoporosis or to evaluate the overall strength of your bones. Our DEXA scanner can also assess whole body composition. A whole-body composition scan provides your BMI and body percentages of fat, lean muscle, and bone mass in all areas of your body.

Computed Tomography (CT)

Bear Lake Memorial Hospital offers our patients the most comfortable CT experience. Our CT scanner is the Toshiba Aquilion PRIME 80 slice. Our 80 slice CT scanner reconstructs 80 slices per gantry rotation providing faster exams, sophisticated reconstruction technologies, high-quality images, and safeguards with radiation monitoring to prevent unnecessary exposure. CT scans use X-ray to show cross-sectional anatomy (slices) in three dimensions to help physicians diagnose many health problems. A few common reasons why your Physician will order a CT is to evaluate the patient for problems such as: internal bleeding on trauma, complex fractures, and screen all internal organs and vasculature for abnormalities.

Mammography

Mammography is a low dose x-ray imaging method to examine breast tissue for early detection of cancer and other breast diseases. Preventative screenings are critically important in the fight against breast cancer and often find new cancers via imaging before they have grown to the size of being able to detect through a breast self-exam. Mammograms are also used to perform diagnostic workups for patients who may be experiencing abnormal symptoms or have a known abnormality from imaging done with a previous screening mammogram. At Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, we have the Hologic Selenia Dimensions with 2D/3D capabilities. Our 3D mammography, also known as Digital Breast Tomosynthesis is used to generate thin cross-sections of the breast from multiple angles to produce an improved detection of breast cancers that may not be seen on 2D mammography. The mammography department offers several services that include: 2D/3D screening and diagnostic mammograms, breast ultrasound, breast biopsies, and soon to add breast MRI. We are proud to offer imaging services that meet the American College of Radiology (ACR) Gold Seal of accreditation, and it is our mammographer’s hope to be able to always meet the needs of our patients.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Bear Lake Memorial Hospital is proud to offer our patients MRI imaging on-site. Our new construction MRI suite was completed in May 2021. Prior to May 2021, our MRI exams were performed in a trailer only one day per week. We now offer MRI imaging services during regular business hours Monday-Friday 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. Our new, unique design of the MRI scan room has large windows providing patients with natural daylight creating an ambient environment for patients who may be claustrophobic. Our MRI scanner is a Canon Orion Advantage 1.5 Tesla magnet. We have the most current software (AiCE) producing sharp, clear, high-resolution images within routine scan times. Bear Lake Memorial MRI is a national show site for Canon Medical Inc. because of our superb image quality. MRI is the modality of choice when evaluating soft tissue structures. Like CT, MRI acquires cross-sectional images (slices) of the anatomy in all three planes of the body. However, MRI is different than CT in that it uses magnetism to acquire the images where CT uses X-rays. Your Physician will order an MRI to evaluate soft tissue structures of the body. A few examples include: The brain, spinal cord, nerves, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and cartilage.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is an imaging modality that channels sound waves to explore the inner workings of the body. The sound waves are absorbed at different degrees by tissues in the body and then reflected back to the ultrasound probe.  The reflected sound waves are then used to create images.  The sound waves can be adjusted to penetrate various depths inside the body, which allows ultrasound to be used to image a vast range of structures.  At Bear Lake Memorial Hospital, we use a Canon Aplioi700 machine to acquire images.   We perform abdominal, pelvic, soft tissue and vascular studies.  We also use ultrasound to guide biopsy procedures.  Ultrasound does not use ionizing radiation, which makes it the imaging modality of choice for obstetrical patients.  Our facility also offers 3D scans for patients in their 3rd trimester of pregnancy.

Echocardiogram

An Echocardiogram is a specialized Ultrasound of the heart to find heart disease and other heart conditions. An echo shows how the blood moves through the heart chambers and valves. Your Physician may order an Echo if a patient has chest pain or shortness of breath. Bear Lake Memorial Hospital offers Echo exams on Tuesdays on-site. Diagnostic Imaging Services of Idaho provide the Echo imaging service.

Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear Medicine imaging uses radioactive material inside the body to determine the function of organs or to target diseased organs for treatment. Your Physician may order a Nuclear Medicine scan to evaluate the following conditions: Blood disorders, thyroid disease, heart disease, gallbladder disease, lung problems, bone problems, kidney disease, and cancer. Nuclear Medicine exams are performed on-site at Bear Lake Memorial Hospital on Wednesdays. Diagnostic Imaging Services of Idaho provides Nuclear Medicine Imaging service in a semi-trailer. The semi-trailer is recently remodeled and has a modern, comfortable environment for our patients.

Our Radiology Team

Marty Farmer MSRS, RT(R)(CT)(ADRMS)

Director of Radiology

Been working in the Radiology Department since 1996. Received a Master of Science Radiographic Science from Weber State University. Experienced in X-ray, CT, and Ultrasound. Certified in X-ray, CT, and Ultrasound.

Jared Farmer, RT(R)(MR)(RRT)

Been working in the Radiology Department since 2001. Experienced in X-ray, CT, MRI, and Respiratory Therapy. Certified in Radiography, MRI, and Respiratory Therapy.

Tam Cochran, RT(R)(M)

Been working in the Radiology Department since 2005. Experienced in X-ray, CT, and Mammography. Certified in Radiography and Mammography.

Molly Smith, RT(R)(ARDMS)

Been working in the Radiology Department since 2004. Experienced in X-ray, CT, and Ultrasound. Certified in Radiography and Ultrasound.

Chelsie Carr, RT(R)(CT)

Been working in the Radiology Department since 2017. Experienced in X-ray and CT. Certified in X-ray and CT.

Trevor Ward, MSRS, RT(R)(CT)(MR)- MRI Manager

Been working full-time in Radiology since 2013. Started working at BLMH Radiology Department in 2021. Received a Master of Science Radiographic Science from Midwestern State University. Experienced in X-ray, CT, and MRI. Certified in Radiography, CT, and MRI.

Makinzy Bunderson, Ultrasound Student

Been working in the Radiology Department since 2021. Experienced in X-ray and CT. Current Ultrasound student at Weber State University.

 

Sidney Parker, X-ray Student

Been working in the Radiology Department since 2023. Experienced in X-ray and CT. Current X-ray student at Weber State University.

Jaden Crane, X-ray Student

Been working in the Radiology Department since 2023. Experienced in X-ray and CT. Current X-ray student at Weber State University.

*The Radiology Department at BLMH is a clinical site for Weber State University. We have trained students since 1992.