Alberta’s first photon-counting CT scanner arrives

EDMONTON – The University of Alberta Hospital is now home to Alberta’s first photon-counting CT scanner, a next-generation advancement in medical imaging made possible through a $1.5 million donation from Suncor Energy and contributions from others to the University Hospital Foundation.

First announced in October 2025, the Siemens scanner has now been installed and is being brought into operation. It represents one of the most significant advances in CT imaging in more than 30 years and is set to improve how patients are diagnosed and cared for at the University of Alberta hospital.

The technology will support cardiac, neurology and pediatric patients from across Alberta and Western Canada, helping clinicians see more clearly and make faster and more informed decisions.

Technology highlights

• Up to 5x higher image resolution
• Up to 60 percent lower radiation exposure
• Faster scan times, including for pediatric patients

With these advancements, healthcare teams will be able to visualize organs and tissues with greater clarity while reducing radiation exposure, particularly for patients who require repeat imaging.

As the technology comes into operation, it is expected to support earlier detection, faster diagnoses and improvements in patient flow, leading to reduced wait times.

“This is about fundamentally changing how patients experience care – from the anxiety of waiting to the confidence of getting answers quickly and accurately,” said Dr. Jodi L. Abbott, president & CEO, University Hospital Foundation.

“Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners like Suncor, we’re able to bring transformative innovations like this to the University of Alberta Hospital, advancing earlier detection, improving the patient journey and helping care teams deliver the kind of precision medicine that defines the future of healthcare.”

“We are proud to support the University Hospital Foundation in bringing advanced medical imaging to the University of Alberta Hospital and to now see this technology in place,” said Troy Little, chief financial officer, Suncor.

“By investing in this next-generation scanner, we are helping ensure patients and healthcare teams have access to the tools they need for faster and more accurate diagnoses and improved care. Supporting the health and well-being of the communities where we operate remains one of the most meaningful ways we can make a difference.”

This milestone reflects the strength of partnership between Suncor and the University Hospital Foundation, and a shared commitment to strengthening health care through practical innovation.

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