This is a story by Niagara Health Foundation (NHF), published on the NHF website.
When Dr. Labh Mehta first set foot in the St. Catharines hospital more than 50 years ago, no one could have predicted the remarkable evolution of medical imaging in the decades that followed. Nor could they have foreseen how instrumental Dr. Labh and his son, the then six-year-old Amit Mehta, would become in bringing the best and latest technology to Niagara.
Former Niagara Health radiologist Dr. Labh was born in Uganda, has a medical degree from the University of London and later moved to Canada.
“I started at the St. Catharines General Hospital in 1971. We had two radiologists and I was the third to join the team. X-Ray was the only technology we had available here in Niagara at the time.” Over the span of Dr. Labh’s almost 40 year-long career at the St. Catharines hospital, Diagnostic Imaging saw a lot of growth and change.
The first time he and his team considered introducing more medical imaging options to Niagara was in the late 1970s.
“Only Hamilton and Toronto had ultrasound machines at the time. We wanted to bring this technology to Niagara, but it wasn’t easy to get in those days.” Dr. Labh and the head technologist drove across North America to learn about the equipment and source the best option for Niagara. “They are museum pieces now,” he laughs, “but they were top of the line at the time.”
Dr. Labh oversaw every aspect of the process, from selecting the equipment to teaching the technologists how to use it, to teaching himself and his colleagues how to interpret the images.
“Then, in 1983, we wanted to bring CT scanners to Niagara,” Dr. Labh explains. The technology was first invented in England and won the inventors a Nobel Prize in 1979. Toronto and Hamilton had some of the first scanners in Canada, but not having one in Niagara meant that people had both long wait times and drives to get their tests. “We wanted to bring this technology closer to people here in Niagara,but also knew it would be a big expense and require significant fundraising.”
A 1984 newspaper shows Dr. Labh Mehta with Niagara’s first CT scanner
Once again, he and the head technologist travelled to hospitals and manufacturers across North America to learn about their options. “Choosing the equipment, knowing that we would be spending the public’s money, was quite a heavy burden for us,” he remembers. Adding a third imaging method also meant more training and hiring more radiologists.
“I myself was still learning how to interpret the images, so I hired radiologists who had worked with the technology to increase our capacity.”
In 1984, Dr. Labh’s hard work paid off and patients in Niagara had access to a CT scanner close to home.
Today, just over 40 years after receiving that very first CT scanner, Niagara is acquiring the newest diagnostic imaging technology and, once again, the project is spearheaded by a Dr. Mehta.
“I started working in St. Catharines in 1998,” says Dr. Labh’s son, Dr. Amit Mehta.
“They were looking to purchase an MRI, and although I was doing my fellowship in the US at the time, still in training, they recognized that I had more experience with the technology than the radiologists in Niagara.”
Dr. Amit was brought in to select the best MRI and launch the MRI program in Niagara. He also felt the weight of the responsibility that his father had carried, spending hours reviewing specifications and consulting with physicists to ensure he made the right choice.
“This is how it began for me, and I have been involved in almost all major procurement projects for Diagnostic Imaging equipment ever since,” says Dr. Amit. “For me, the desire to help the residents of Niagara was instilled in me by my father, and it has remained my compass. I was very fortunate to work with a dedicated team from the hospital for each equipment purchase. As each project was time-consuming, the support I received from family and colleagues made it possible for me to be involved. Yes, we aim to improve the workflow for the technologists but, first and foremost, it is about patient care.”
“They were looking to purchase an MRI, and although I was doing my fellowship in the US at the time, still in training, they recognized that I had more experience with the technology than the radiologists in Niagara.” Dr. Amit was brought in to select the best MRI and launch the MRI program in Niagara. He also felt the weight of the responsibility that his father had carried, spending hours reviewing specifications and consulting with physicists to ensure he made the right choice.
Technologist Susan Hall and Director of Technical Services Tom Rastin learn the new equipment in 1984
“This is how it began for me, and I have been involved in almost all major procurement projects for Diagnostic Imaging equipment ever since,” says Dr. Amit. “For me, the desire to help the residents of Niagara was instilled in me by my father, and it has remained my compass. I was very fortunate to work with a dedicated team from the hospital for each equipment purchase. As each project was time-consuming, the support I received from family and colleagues made it possible for me to be involved. Yes, we aim to improve the workflow for the technologists but, first and foremost, it is about patient care.”
Recognizing the importance of bringing new technology to Niagara, Dr. Labh and Dr. Amit have a history of supporting equipment purchases through their own generous donations.
This year, they have continued their legacy of giving, each committing $50,000 toward the replacement of aging CT scanners.
“I’m of the mindset that patients should not have to leave the region, but I know that these major projects come at a huge cost,” Dr. Amit says, “so I personally had to contribute.” When he told his father about the new scanners coming to Niagara, Dr. Labh also wanted to help.
“The St. Catharines General Hospital provided me with all of the things I wanted to do in my career,” he says. “I had excellent CEOs, excellent technologists, and people to work with. I donate to Niagara Health Foundation to leave something behind for the place where I not only worked but also had some of the happiest times of my life.”
Niagara Health Foundation President & CEO, Andrea Scott, is touched by the Mehta family’s investment.
“These doctors have dedicated their lives and careers to helping patients in Niagara. Diagnostic Imaging at our local hospitals has seen a remarkable evolution over the decades and Drs. Amit and Labh Mehta were big drivers behind that growth. I am so grateful for their incredibly generous gifts towards this latest addition of CT scanners.”
After conducting extensive research, Dr. Amit selected new scanners that he is very excited about.
“We have over 30 radiologists at Niagara Health. Our work has changed and grown immensely over the years and equipment is a huge part of that. The scanners we have chosen are state-of the-art,” he explains. “They have a higher image quality while decreasing radiation, and have an incredible integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). That is something we paid close attention to when evaluating different vendors. The devices we’ve chosen utilize AI to create 3D reconstructions and improve the image quality and workflow for the technologists.”
Photo of the donor wall from the old St. Catharines General
To Andrea Scott, having physicians involved in fundraising sends an important signal to Niagara Health Foundation donors and our community. “Their donations not only help the Foundation meet the hospital’s needs, they also add a level of accountability. Their investment shows donors that our physicians stand behind this purchase and have put a lot of consideration and research into finding the best technology for people in Niagara.”
Both doctors hope that their philanthropy will inspire others to do the same. “I encourage others to step up and also contribute,” says Dr. Amit. “For me, I will do as much as I can because I want patients in Niagara to get the best quality care close to home.”
Akash, Tejas, Karishma, Dr. Labh, Mrs. Seema, Dr. Amit and Adesh Mehta stand around the new CT scanner – their drive and generosity has brought this state-of-the-art equipment to Niagara
