Akumin Launches First Two AXIS™ Expandable Patient Suites at Partner Hospitals, Bringing Next-Generation Imaging Access to Mississippi and Virginia
Akumin, a leading provider of managed radiology and oncology services in the United States, has reached an important milestone in its efforts to reshape the future of medical imaging and advanced care delivery. The Company announced the successful deployment of its first two Akumin AXIS™ Expandable Patient Solutions suites, now operational in partnership with Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto in Southaven, Mississippi, and Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center in Suffolk, Virginia.
These two facilities are the first in the nation to integrate Akumin’s AXIS platform, which combines the convenience and efficiency of relocatable medical units with the design, spaciousness, and patient-friendly experience typically associated with permanent hospital buildings. Each deployed suite is equipped with state-of-the-art PET/CT imaging technology, designed to improve diagnostic precision, streamline workflows, and expand access to high-quality imaging for patients in their respective communities.
A New Era of Mobile Imaging Solutions
Akumin is widely recognized as the largest provider of mobile radiology services in the United States, and the launch of the AXIS platform builds on its decades of experience in deploying mobile imaging units to hospitals, health systems, and outpatient facilities. While traditional mobile imaging trailers have long provided flexible solutions for hospitals constrained by capital budgets or construction timelines, they have often been limited by space and patient capacity.
With AXIS, Akumin has introduced a completely new class of relocatable care delivery infrastructure. First unveiled at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) Annual Meeting in 2024, AXIS was developed in direct response to hospital feedback about the challenges of rising construction costs, expanding patient volumes, and growing demand for advanced imaging.
Unlike conventional mobile trailers, each AXIS suite is expandable—once deployed, the units can extend outward to create larger patient and staff spaces. Inside, the environment mirrors the feel of a modern, permanent hospital building, with three dedicated uptake rooms that allow for more than double the patient throughput compared to standard mobile units. The design addresses both patient comfort and staff workflow, enabling providers to deliver care with greater efficiency and effectiveness.
Henry Howe, Chief Executive Officer of Akumin, emphasized the significance of this innovation in addressing the healthcare industry’s most pressing infrastructure challenges.
Akumin AXIS was designed based on direct feedback from our hospital partners, who face the challenges of high construction costs, limited capital, and growing patient demand,” said Howe. “By offering a fully equipped solution that can be operational in as little as 60 days, Akumin AXIS is already being recognized as a revolutionary model for expanding access to advanced imaging services. We are thrilled to have successfully deployed the initial units with our partners Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto and Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center.
First Deployment: Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto
The first Akumin AXIS suite was deployed at Baptist Memorial Hospital-DeSoto, part of the Baptist Memorial Health Care system, which serves patients across northern Mississippi and neighboring regions.
Baptist-DeSoto is a 339-bed acute care hospital that has steadily expanded its services and facilities over the past two decades. Known for clinical excellence and patient-centered care, the hospital provides a wide range of services, including heart and vascular care, neurology, oncology, women’s health, surgical services, inpatient rehabilitation, and emergency medicine.
In recent years, Baptist-DeSoto has invested heavily in infrastructure growth. In 2018, the hospital completed a $19 million expansion and renovation of its emergency department, adding 20,000 square feet of new space to meet growing patient demand. In July 2022, the hospital also opened an 87,000-square-foot physician office building, a $55 million investment that strengthened access to specialty care for the surrounding community.
National recognition has followed these investments. For the 2025–2026 ranking cycle, U.S. News & World Report recognized Baptist-DeSoto as a high-performing hospital in six specialties. The hospital also earned quality distinctions from the American Heart Association for cardiac and stroke care. Notably, Baptist-DeSoto became the first hospital in Mississippi to achieve the American College of Cardiology HeartCARE Center National Distinction of Excellence in 2025.
With nearly 2,000 employees, Baptist-DeSoto continues to expand its capabilities while maintaining a reputation for high-quality, compassionate care. The integration of the Akumin AXIS PET/CT suite further strengthens the hospital’s ability to deliver cutting-edge diagnostics while meeting rising patient demand in the Southaven region.
Second Deployment: Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center
The second Akumin AXIS suite was deployed at Bon Secours Harbour View Medical Center in Suffolk, Virginia. Opened in 2025, the facility is known as the region’s first “smart hospital”, designed to incorporate advanced technology that enhances communication, safety, and patient comfort.
The medical center was developed as part of Bon Secours’ long-term commitment to the Hampton Roads region, building on the foundation of the long-standing Harbour View Emergency Department. The modern facility includes four operating rooms, 18 private inpatient rooms, and a range of surgical and specialty services, including orthopedic and bariatric procedures.
Bon Secours Harbour View represents a forward-looking approach to healthcare delivery, integrating smart technologies that enable seamless coordination across care teams while enhancing the patient experience. By incorporating Akumin AXIS PET/CT technology, the hospital further extends its diagnostic capabilities, ensuring that patients in Northern Suffolk and Western Hampton Roads gain access to advanced imaging without the delays or barriers associated with new construction projects.
The Future of AXIS: Beyond PET/CT
While the first two deployed AXIS units are configured for PET/CT imaging, Akumin is already preparing to expand the platform’s capabilities. In the coming weeks, the Company plans to launch an AXIS suite equipped with LINAC (Linear Accelerator) technology, enabling hospitals to provide targeted cancer treatment in a relocatable format. Following this, Akumin will also introduce an AXIS configuration with 1.5T MRI capabilities, further broadening the suite’s applications across oncology, neurology, orthopedics, and other specialties.
This versatility positions Akumin AXIS as more than just an imaging solution—it is a modular healthcare infrastructure platform capable of addressing multiple specialty needs across diverse hospital settings.
Transforming Access to Care
The deployment of the first two Akumin AXIS suites is more than a company milestone—it reflects a broader shift in how healthcare systems are adapting to challenges such as rising patient demand, limited capital budgets, and the need for faster deployment of advanced technology.
Hospitals often face long timelines and multimillion-dollar costs associated with building permanent expansions. By contrast, Akumin AXIS provides a fully operational, hospital-grade suite in as little as 60 days, offering providers a cost-effective, flexible, and scalable solution. This capability is particularly important for communities experiencing population growth, rising rates of chronic disease, or limited access to specialized care.
In addition to patient benefits, the AXIS design is highly staff-centric. Spacious layouts, optimized workflows, and advanced technology integration help reduce strain on healthcare teams while improving efficiency. The patient-centered design—with private uptake rooms, modern interiors, and expanded space—also enhances the patient journey, reducing anxiety and creating a care environment that feels less like a temporary solution and more like a permanent hospital setting.
