May 18, 2016 — Integrated health system Edward-Elmhurst Health, Naperville, Ill., is investing $7 million in Mequon, Wis.-based Smart Choice MRI, the first magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provider in the country to offer every MRI for an all-inclusive fee of $600 or less.
“This new partnership is in line with our mission to always advance the health of our communities,” said Pam Davis, system CEO, Edward-Elmhurst Health. “With our commitment to improvement, collaboration and innovation, this investment in Smart Choice MRI will provide greater service and choice to our patients as well as improved efficiency within our system.”
The Edward-Elmhurst Health investment will fuel the groundbreaking of five new Smart Choice MRI clinics in the Chicago area, beginning in the fall with Bolingbrook, Oswego and Lombard, as well as an expansion into Minneapolis. Edward-Elmhurst Health doctors will continue to make MRI referrals based on the most appropriate location for patient care.
Smart Choice MRI currently has three Chicago area clinics, in Schaumburg, Glenview and Skokie, and another due in downtown Chicago in July. Smart Choice MRI also supports six Wisconsin clinics.
In addition, Bill Kottmann, recently announced as president and CEO of Edward Hospital, effective July 1, is joining Smart Choice MRI’s Board of Directors to represent Edward-Elmhurst’s system interest in the partnership.
Edward-Elmhurst Health is the second healthcare system to invest in Smart Choice MRI. ThedaCare, the largest healthcare system in Northeast Wisconsin, announced an investment of $3 million in February. Capital raised to fund a national expansion totals $14.5 million to date.
Smart Choice MRI uses state-of-the-art GE technology and all scans are interpreted by sub-specialty, board-certified radiologists at the Cleveland Clinic. The price is always an all-inclusive $600 or less, which includes the scan as well as its reading.
For more information: www.smartchoicemri.com
March 13, 2026 
