Dr. Tamara Zach MD
Mon - Fri: 8:00AM - 4:00PM
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Portable Brain MRI in Peoria, AZ

Pediatric Brain MRI in Peoria, Arizona

Portable Brain MRI for Children Near Peoria, AZ

The Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® System brings brain imaging into the familiar setting of our pediatric neurology office. Families from Peoria may be able to avoid a separate trip to an imaging facility when a Swoop scan is appropriate: Dr. Tamara Zach MD scans, reads and discusses the images in the same visit, a short drive from Peoria. Our office is approximately 15 miles from Peoria.

No ionizing radiation
MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves
On site at our clinic
Scanned where care is already coordinated
Patients of all ages
FDA cleared, including babies
A parent stays close
Open design, room to stay beside your child

Meet the Swoop® System

The Swoop® system is a portable, ultra-low-field MRI device that produces images of the internal structures of the head. When interpreted by a trained physician, those images can provide information useful in determining a diagnosis.

01
Open and family-centered
Your child lies on a comfortable bed with their head positioned inside the scanner. A parent or caregiver can remain nearby throughout the scan.
02
Quieter than conventional MRI
The system's lower acoustic noise and open design may help make the experience feel less intimidating.
03
Convenient, on-site imaging
Flexible appointments, a simple safety screening, and brain imaging in the same practice where your child's neurological care is coordinated.

When a Brain MRI May Help

Brain MRI can provide detailed images of brain structures without ionizing radiation. Dr. Zach considers your child's history, examination and clinical needs when determining whether imaging may add value.

01
Headaches
Evaluating unexplained headaches or migraines when symptoms or examination findings warrant a closer look.
02
Neurological symptoms
Investigating symptoms such as seizures, dizziness, weakness, visual changes, or abnormal neurological findings.
03
Sports screening
Selected sports-related screening or follow-up when recommended based on an athlete's history and clinical needs.
04
Shunt checks
Checking ventricular size in patients with a shunt when clinically appropriate and ordered by their physician.
Self-pay
$350
Brain MRI
Same-day appointments available

Most insurance plans cover Swoop® brain MRI scans.* For families who prefer to pay out of pocket, Rose Medical Pavilion also offers a $350 self-pay option with no insurance paperwork or prior authorization required.

Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) Schedule online

What to Expect

A straightforward scan of 30 to 40 minutes, in three steps.

01
Prepare
Tell us about any implants, devices or metal. Safety screening before the scan is the same precaution taken for any MRI.
02
Scan
A 30 to 40 minute scan with your child lying still. You can stay beside them for the whole appointment.
03
Review
Dr. Zach reviews the images and discusses what they show with you, in the same visit rather than at a later follow-up.

*Insurance coverage and patient responsibility vary by plan. Same-day appointments are subject to availability, clinical appropriateness, a physician's order, and required safety screening. Brain MRI is ordered when it is clinically appropriate; Dr. Zach considers each child's history, examination and clinical needs when determining whether imaging may add value.

Serving Peoria and Surrounding Communities

Rose Medical Pavilion is proud to serve pediatric neurology patients from Peoria and the surrounding Maricopa County communities, including Glendale, Phoenix, Surprise, Sun City. We understand that traveling to a specialist can be challenging for families, and we strive to make every visit as convenient and comfortable as possible.

Getting to Our Office from Peoria

📍 22044 N 44th St, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85050
Approximately 22 miles — about 27 minutes from Peoria.

Just about 27 minutes from Peoria, our Phoenix office is a straightforward drive — easy to fit around school, work, or weekend schedules.

Get Directions →

Why Families from Peoria Choose to Make the Drive

  • Fellowship-trained specialist — Dr. Tamara Zach MD completed specialized pediatric neurology training beyond general pediatrics, offering a level of expertise that isn't available at most local clinics.
  • Answers in one visit — Most families from the area make the drive in a single appointment and leave with a clear care plan.
  • In-office EEG testing — No need to coordinate separate testing facilities. EEG studies can often be completed the same day as your consultation.
  • Flexible scheduling — We work around school and work calendars, including early morning appointments.
  • Statewide reach — We proudly serve families from across Arizona. You are not too far.

Pediatric Brain MRI Care for Peoria and Northwest Valley Families

If you're a parent in Peoria raising questions about your child's neurological health, you've likely noticed that specialized pediatric neurology services aren't always available close to home. A 15-mile drive to Phoenix may seem like an extra burden when you're already managing a child's medical needs, but for pediatric brain MRI and comprehensive neurological evaluation, it's often the most direct path to answers. Maricopa County families in the Northwest Valley frequently travel to Phoenix for this level of specialized care, and understanding why that drive is worth it can help you make the best decision for your child.

When your child needs a brain MRI, the difference between a general pediatrician's referral and care from a board-certified pediatric neurologist like Tamara Zach MD matters more than you might expect. While your primary care doctor can recognize that something warrants imaging, a pediatric neurologist brings specialized training in how children's brains develop, how seizures present differently at different ages, and what imaging findings actually mean for your child's specific situation. Dr. Zach doesn't just order the MRI; she interprets it in the context of your child's unique symptoms, history, and developmental stage. That expertise shapes not only the quality of diagnosis but also your family's entire treatment plan going forward. At Rose Medical Pavilion, pediatric-focused care also means the environment, scheduling, and approach are designed specifically for children and their anxious parents, not adapted from adult neurology.

We understand the logistics matter just as much as the medical expertise. That's why our practice uses telehealth and virtual follow-up visits for many of your child's care needs after the initial evaluation and imaging. Once Dr. Zach has completed the in-person neurological exam and the MRI is done at Rose Medical Pavilion, many follow-up appointments, medication adjustments, and progress check-ins can happen from your home in Peoria. You won't need to make that 30-mile round trip every single time your child needs care. This hybrid approach lets families get specialized expertise without feeling trapped by the distance.

Pediatric brain MRI is a significant step, and it deserves the right specialist. Whether your child is experiencing unexplained seizures, developmental concerns, headaches, or other neurological symptoms, having a pediatric neurologist involved from the start often saves time, reduces unnecessary testing, and gives your family clearer answers faster. The drive to Phoenix is temporary; the confidence you'll gain from proper evaluation lasts.

If your Peoria family has questions about pediatric brain MRI or whether your child might benefit from neurological evaluation, we'd like to help. Contact our clinic today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Zach and find out how we can bring specialized pediatric neurology care within reach for your family.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Swoop® portable MRI? ▼

The Swoop® Portable MR Imaging® System is an ultra-low-field MRI made by Hyperfine, Inc. that operates inside a clinical office rather than a hospital imaging suite. It produces images of the internal structures of the head with no ionizing radiation, and it is FDA cleared for patients of all ages, including babies. Dr. Tamara Zach MD performs the scan and reviews the images herself.

Does my child need sedation for a portable MRI? ▼

Generally no. The open design and lower acoustic noise may help make the scan feel less intimidating, and a parent or caregiver can remain beside your child throughout. Whether sedation is needed is decided case by case with Dr. Zach, as it would be for any MRI.

How much does a brain MRI cost at Rose Medical Pavilion? ▼

Self-pay is $350 with no insurance paperwork required. Most insurance plans cover Swoop® brain MRI scans.* Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) and our team will confirm what applies to your family before the appointment.

Can a Peoria family get a same-day brain MRI? ▼

Often yes. Because the scanner is in our own office, approximately 15 miles away, we are not waiting on a hospital imaging slot, and same-day scans are available subject to clinical appropriateness and safety screening. Call (623) 257-ROSE (7673) to ask about today's availability.

Is a portable brain MRI safe for babies and young children? ▼

Yes. MRI uses magnetic fields and radio waves rather than radiation, and the Swoop® system is FDA cleared for all ages including newborns. Safety screening before the scan checks for metal implants or devices, which is the same precaution taken for any MRI.