WORCESTER, Mass. - Shields Health at UMass Memorial is celebrating their Center of Imaging Innovation with three new AI-powered MRI machines which they said are improving access in the region.

“I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2025,” UMass Memorial Health patient Darlene Scheurich said.

Scheurich had a work obligation causing her to miss a yearly mammogram appointment in May 2025.

After finding out she’d have to wait a full year to reschedule, she said luckily, she found another facility.

“I was able to get in within a month to thank God I did," Scheurich said. "We may not be sitting here. I may not be sitting here. You may be sitting here interviewing another patient.”

Scheurich’s mammogram found a mass in her left breast, which led to scheduling an MRI with Shields Health at UMass Memorial.

The MRI in July 2025 found an additional lump in her right breast. She said the team at Shields and UMass 'moved mountains' for her to come back nine days later for an MRI biopsy.

“One can imagine those nine days in between," Scheurich said, "thinking, 'I'm loaded with cancer - tumors.'"

One of the masses was not cancerous, but Scheurich still had cancer in her left breast. She also had tested positive for the BRCA1 gene.

“I decided at that point that I was going to have a double mastectomy," Scheurich said, "to choose my future self.”

Following multiple breast surgeries, a total hysterectomy, and 16 weeks of chemotherapy, Scheurich said she’s now cancer free and doing great despite some lasting brain fog and fatigue.

Shields Health gives some credit to their MRI Artificial Intelligence which they’ve been using since 2020.

“The artificial intelligence has allowed for us to have shorter scanner times, which allows for us to see more patients in a day," Shields Heaelth president Peter Ferrari said. "But the real beauty of the technology with AI is it actually provides better images."

Ferrarri said breast imaging scan times have been reduced by 20% and other MRI scans have seen more than 50% reduction in time.

“We're excited with the work we're doing with using artificial intelligence on the images, but I think probably the biggest benefactor is in providing access," Ferrari said. "As Darlene’s story told, there's just so many people out there, looking to get access to care.”

“Cancer doesn't wait," Scheurich said. "My tumor was already over three centimeters large.”

As AI helps save time for Shields patients, Scheurich said it’s important to make time to put your health first.

“Don't blow off your mammogram appointments because life gets in the way," Scheurich said. "It is so easy to do. It's not a fun, it's not an enjoyable appointment to keep."