Team Behind Durham Region's First PET/CT Program Receives Provincial Recognition

When Lakeridge Health introduced Durham Region's first PET/CT scanner, it transformed access to cancer care for patients and families across the region. Now, the team behind that achievement has been recognized with one of the profession's highest honours. 

The Nuclear Medicine team at Oshawa Hospital has received the Ontario Association of Medical Radiation Sciences (OAMRS) Team Award for its outstanding work implementing Lakeridge Health's PET/CT program. 

Presented on June 5, 2026, the award recognizes teams that have made significant contributions to patient care, their organization and the medical radiation sciences profession through innovation and sustainable improvement.  

“Receiving recognition from OAMRS is especially meaningful because it comes from peers who understand the expertise, innovation and teamwork required to establish a highly specialized service,” explained said Lorel Morrison, Director, Laboratory Medicine and Diagnostic Imaging 

Since welcoming its first patient in October 2024, the PET/CT scanner has transformed access to cancer care in Durham Region. As the region's first PET/CT scanner – and the only one in the Central East Region – it enables patients to receive advanced diagnostic imaging close to home, reducing the need to travel outside the region for this important service. 

"The PET/CT program is an outstanding example of how innovation and technology can transform the care we provide," said Tabitha Carroll, Health System Executive, Clinical. "As we advance our 2026-2031 Strategic Plan's strategic direction, Innovation and Technology for Better Care, this program demonstrates how investing in leading-edge technology, combined with the expertise of our people, expands access, enhances the patient experience and supports better outcomes for the communities we serve." 

Bringing the PET/CT program to life required far more than installing a new scanner. It represented a significant change in practice for the Nuclear Medicine team and required months of planning, education and collaboration. 

For many team members, PET/CT was an entirely new imaging modality. They completed specialized education and advanced certifications, learned new radiopharmaceuticals, met rigorous regulatory requirements, integrated diagnostic CT imaging into practice, and developed new clinical workflows from the ground up. 

"Our team's willingness to embrace new technologies, develop specialized expertise and work collaboratively made this program possible," added Lorel. "Many team members were learning an entirely new imaging modality while completing advanced education, meeting rigorous regulatory requirements and developing new clinical workflows. I'm incredibly proud to see their dedication recognized, knowing their efforts are helping more patients receive advanced cancer imaging closer to home." 

To learn more about Diagnostic Imaging services at Lakeridge Health, including PET/CT imaging, visit the Diagnostic Imaging section of the Lakeridge Health website.