LOIS KINDLE PHOTO
SimonMed Imaging offers a wide array of services using the most advanced technology available, affordable pricing and friendly service in a comfortable setting. From left are Julie Meshanko, Cathy McCollum, Jenny Parker, Miranda Smith, Jamin VanLandingham and Sussie Ramirez.
By LOIS KINDLE
Patients needing any kind of diagnostic imaging now have one of the country’s largest providers at their disposal.
Located at 4051 Upper Creek Drive in the South Bay Medical Arts Building across from South Bay Hospital, SimonMed Imaging offers a wide array of services using the most advanced technology available, affordable pricing and friendly service in a comfortable setting.
“All SimonMed radiologists read images in their subspecialties (cardiology, neurology, etc.) so when a patient comes here for an MRI, CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound or other imaging test, the specialist actually reads the image and writes the report,” said Jamin VanLandingham, sales director. “Our technology is amazing. For the longest time, only hospitals had the kind of technology we have.
“Our mission is to provide the highest-quality affordable services possible to bring healthcare to everyone in the community,” he said. “Even with our discounted pricing, we’re not discounting our level of care.”
The Sun City Center location has a 3T MRI, which has double the magnet strength for better images. Oral sedation is offered to patients who feel they need it.
The imaging center also has a 128-slice CT scanner that blows away the industry-standard 16-slice scanner, which (due to its technology) provides a higher-quality image using a lower radiation dose.
“Imagine trying to find a raisin in an entire loaf of bread,” said Julie Meshanko, SimonMed sales and marketing liaison. “The odds of finding it are much greater with the 128-slice CT scanner, because the slices are so much thinner. You can’t diagnose or treat what you can’t see.”
SimonMed is patient-centered. It offers same-day appointments, STAT (immediate) imaging and a price-match guarantee. It also accepts most major insurances and cash prices for folks who are uninsured.
For example, right now a cash-pay patient can get a CT scan for $150, an MRI for $200 or an X-ray for $25.
A hardship program is in place to help low-income folks who need to be seen.
“At SimonMed, we truly believe in patient care, and we never want to turn anyone away,” said Miranda Smith, national sales trainer.
The company is looking to expand its offices in the Tampa Bay area, including South Shore.
“Our goal is to partner with doctors in the community. We’re an extension of their practices,” Meshanko added. “Their patients are our patients.”
Meshanko said 3D mammograms will be coming soon to the Sun City Center office. The company also plans to provide patient transportation in the near future.
SimonMed was founded in Arizona in May 2002 by board-certified radiologist John Simon, MD. Sites were started in Florida 10 years later. Today there are more than 106 SimonMed Imaging locations nationwide.
For an appointment or additional information, call 813-634-0010 during SimonMed’s hours of operation, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Se habla español.
