When Dr. Sam Toney scheduled a preventive scan at TrueScan, he wasn’t experiencing symptoms or searching for answers. As a board-certified psychiatrist and neurologist, he simply believed in staying proactive about his health.
That decision may have saved his life.
After undergoing a full-body MRI and Coronary CTA with HeartFlow AI analysis at TrueScan, physicians identified a significant blockage in one of his major coronary arteries. Within days, Dr. Toney met with his cardiologist, underwent a successful procedure to place a stent, and was back home recovering.
“That was life-saving, in my opinion,” he said.
Located in St. Petersburg, TrueScan is Tampa Bay’s first full-body MRI center, offering advanced preventive imaging designed to identify potential health concerns before symptoms develop. The center’s philosophy is simple: detecting disease earlier often leads to better outcomes and more treatment options.
In addition to its comprehensive full-body MRI, TrueScan offers a non-invasive Coronary CTA with HeartFlow AI analysis. The advanced technology creates a detailed 3D view of the coronary arteries, evaluating plaque buildup, narrowing of the arteries, and blood flow to provide a clearer picture of heart health.
For Dr. Toney, those findings prompted immediate action before a serious cardiac event could occur.
The center’s full-body MRI screens for more than 500 medical conditions, including many cancers, aneurysms, neurological disorders, and other silent diseases that often progress unnoticed. According to TrueScan, only about 14% of cancers are detected through routine screening, while the majority are diagnosed only after symptoms appear. Their goal is to help shift that timeline by identifying concerns when they are most treatable.
Despite the technology behind the scans, the patient experience is designed to be straightforward and comfortable. The full-body MRI takes approximately one hour, requires no contrast and no exposure to ionizing radiation, and allows patients to stream television during the exam. Private changing rooms, secure storage, and a welcoming environment help make the visit as stress-free as possible.
Within seven days, patients receive a comprehensive report followed by a complimentary consultation with one of TrueScan’s physicians to review the findings, answer questions, and discuss any recommended next steps.
Reflecting on his experience, Dr. Toney believes preventive imaging should be part of a proactive approach to healthcare.
“As a physician, I truly believe that proactive diagnostic testing and scanning is vital to anyone’s health, especially as we get older,” he said. “These scans allow us to understand our health before problems become emergencies.”
He also credits the team at TrueScan for making the experience comfortable from beginning to end.
“I was welcomed warmly, treated professionally, and every step of the process was explained clearly,” he said. “Receiving my results quickly and having the opportunity to review them with an experienced physician gave me confidence in what came next.”
For Dr. Toney, one hour spent investing in his health led to a diagnosis that changed—and potentially saved—his life.
TrueScan is located at 5015 4th Street North, Suite B, St. Petersburg, and offers appointments Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To learn more or schedule an appointment, visit TrueScanMRI.com or call 727-256-0095.
The Lois Odence Planters Nursing Scholarship Luncheon is near and dear to my heart. For more than 25 years, Planters has helped support future nurses and healthcare professionals as they pursue their education and prepare to serve our community with skill, compassion, and care. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who has honored the memory of my late grandmother by supporting this meaningful mission.
This year, I am especially excited to welcome my longtime friend, Kate Doerge, as our featured speaker. Her book, Reimagining Grief, shares her journey of transforming pain into purpose following the loss of her beloved daughter, Penny, and both of her parents. Her message is one of resilience, hope, and healing.
Learn more about Kate at katedoerge.com, purchase tickets to the luncheon at mpmf.org/events/lois-odence-
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