Exploring MIC's Impact on
Diagnostic Imaging and Healthcare
Decades of Leadership.
Foundations and Growth
In 1996, Medical Imaging Consultants (MIC) was formed through the merger of four well-established radiology groups in the Edmonton area. This strategic alliance was created to navigate the rapidly changing healthcare landscape in Alberta.
MIC’s founding radiology groups included:
- Associated Radiologists
- Diagnostic Imaging Associates
- Radiological Professional Services
- Professional Building Association of Radiologists
MIC drew on best practices from each founding group, pooled resources, and focused on improving patient care—often by reallocating radiologists with unique skill sets across different environments, whether in hospitals or community clinics.
In the early days of the merger, MIC radiologists travelled to rural and remote areas in Alberta, providing vital services where access to healthcare was limited. This dedication laid the groundwork for MIC’s reputation as a trusted provider, particularly in X-ray, ultrasound, interventional procedures, and DEXA scanning for osteoporosis evaluation.
As the MIC partnership grew, the team expanded to include a broader pool of subspecialists, ensuring comprehensive coverage across pediatrics, neuroradiology, and breast imaging. This collaborative capacity enabled MIC to manage complex cases more efficiently and strengthened long-standing relationships with local hospitals, healthcare practitioners, and specialists.
By integrating innovative practices, MIC set a new standard for diagnostic excellence and patient care.
Advancing Technology and Services
The second decade of MIC marked significant advancements in technology and services. As demand for high-quality diagnostic imaging increased in Edmonton, MIC expanded its presence and service offerings through renovations and the construction of new facilities.
In 2006, MIC reached a major milestone by transitioning from analog film to digital imaging through the implementation of Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) and a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS). One year later, MIC opened Edmonton’s first fully digital radiology clinic at Century Park.
This transition significantly improved operations by enabling instant image submission to Netcare, Alberta’s electronic health records (EHR) system. As an early adopter of the Alberta Health Services platform, MIC ensured that referring practitioners could access imaging, reports, and patient history in a timely manner—streamlining care decisions such as referrals, surgical planning, treatment adjustments, and rehabilitation scheduling.
In 2011, MIC won its first Consumers’ Choice Award (CCA), recognizing the organization as the most outstanding diagnostic imaging provider in Northern Alberta. The prestigious award is based on an in-depth consumer evaluation conducted by a third-party research firm. Two years later, MIC became the official imaging provider for the Edmonton Oilers and the Edmonton Eskimos (now the Edmonton Elks).
By the end of this decade, MIC had established 14 clinics and employed more than 80 radiologists and 350 technologists. The organization also introduced several in-demand programs and procedures based on feedback from local healthcare practitioners, including:
- Viral Hepatitis Screening Program
- Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) Screening Program
- Ultrasound Elastography Screening Program
- Vascular and interventional procedures, including Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), spinal interventions for compression fractures, fallopian tube recanalization, uterine artery embolization, and pelvic congestion syndrome treatment.
As MIC’s community presence grew, its commitment to supporting local hospitals remained steadfast. The partnership continued to provide consistent, dependable radiology interpretations across hospitals and community clinics, reinforcing a shared mission of accessible, comprehensive care.
Learn more about how MIC supports local hospitals (link to hospital article).
A Vision for the Future
Over the last decade, MIC Medical Imaging has remained focused on industry leadership and driving positive change. The organization has continuously adopted innovative technologies, invested in future healthcare professionals, and optimized operations to increase access to state-of-the-art equipment for Edmontonians.
In 2016, MIC implemented several innovations, including voice recognition software and a standardized ultrasound review and reporting workflow. These tools significantly improved dictation accuracy and report turnaround times by reducing manual entry and keystroke errors.
Recognizing the importance of education and knowledge sharing, MIC remains committed to cultivating future generations of radiologists and technologists. MIC radiologists actively teach residents, fellows, and medical students at the University of Alberta through their roles as clinical lecturers and professors.
Learn more about MIC’s academic radiologists (link to research/advocacy article).
MIC also supports NAIT’s Health and Life Sciences programs by offering practicum placements in X-ray, ultrasound, and MRI. Students rotate through MIC locations, gaining hands-on experience in a clinical environment with advanced equipment under the guidance of radiologists and preceptors.
Learn more about MIC’s partnership with NAIT (link to NAIT article).
Throughout its history, MIC has consistently invested in advanced equipment to benefit patients, practitioners, and staff. Over the past decade, MIC has led the way by offering Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) mammography at all breast imaging clinics, nuclear medicine exams with SPECT-CT capabilities, and 3T MRI magnets at multiple locations. Significant facility renovations—such as those completed at the Terra Losa clinic in 2021—have supported these advancements.
Most recently, MIC installed a state-of-the-art PET CT scanner at the Century Park location. MIC remains the only community clinic in Alberta to offer PET CT imaging and one of only three providers in Canada to offer this technology outside a hospital setting. This state-of-the-art equipment provides healthcare practitioners with more information and consistently improves the patient experience, offering benefits such as shorter scan times and lower radiation exposure.
In the past five years, MIC has also transformed the patient experience by launching Patient Connection, Alberta’s first true online diagnostic imaging scheduling system. This platform allows patients to select exams, choose locations, and book appointments online 24/7, while seamlessly integrating with MIC systems and provincial healthcare infrastructure. While many imaging providers require you to call their team and speak with an agent to book an exam, MIC has invested in new systems to empower patients and streamline their healthcare journey.
By 2024, MIC’s radiology partnership had grown to more than 100 radiologists, making it the largest and most subspecialized group in Canada. This depth and breadth of expertise enable MIC radiologists to manage the most complex or unusual cases—either in the hospital, a community clinic, or across the world.
Learn how MIC radiologists support healthcare initiatives in Africa (link to Mercy Ships article).