Adventist Health St. Helena Breaks Ground on New Cardiovascular Suite, Including a Hybrid Operating Room, One of Only a Handful in the Region

November 19, 2019

Construction began November 13, 2019, on Adventist Health St. Helena’s new cardiovascular suite, which includes a hybrid operating room, one of only a handful of similar hybrid suites in the region. The state-of-the-art suite will be equipped with advanced medical imaging technology and will have the capability to perform both minimally-invasive catheterization procedures and traditional surgery. This image guidance allows physicians to evaluate, intervene and assess the results of minimally invasive procedures, more complex procedures and open surgical cases.

The cardiovascular suite expands the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab and interventional radiology capacity and enhances the facility’s surgical ability for traumatic injury and structural heart procedures. The suite is specially designed so that physicians can work more precisely and efficiently to complete complex operations. In the new hybrid operating suite, a robotic arm is linked to an imaging system, which allows flexible movement to almost any area on a patient. This allows the surgeon to see internal details from multiple angles and perform some of the most advanced clinical procedures, such as heart valve replacements and open-heart surgeries. The cutting-edge technology enhances patient safety, as doctors can respond rapidly during cardiovascular procedures to a patient’s unique anatomy and they can better see the patient’s response to the intervention. The sterility of the operating room allows for open vascular procedures as well.

“This expansion is indicative of our promise to deliver nationally-recognized heart and vascular care to our community,” said Steven Herber, MD, President of Adventist Health St. Helena. “With this addition, we will be able to provide patients with the lifesaving flexibility that hybrid operating rooms offer. We are proud to be a leading cardiovascular program – from the top-of-the-line nursing and clinical professionals to the dedicated anesthesia team to the remarkable group of cardiologists and surgeons who have helped to establish a renowned reputation based on their skills and exceptional patient care.”

“The support and resources we receive from the hospital and the St. Helena Hospital Foundation help make it an outstanding program, and the new hybrid operating room provides another layer of services to offer to our community. This new suite gives patients access to the very best technology available and allows us to offer life-saving treatments right here in the valley,” commented Andreas Sakopoulos, MD, cardiothoracic surgeon at the Adventist Heart and Vascular Institute.

The new cardiovascular suite was made possible by the efforts of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation and its generous donors. “The St. Helena Hospital Foundation is honored to partner with Adventist Health St. Helena to introduce this state-of-the-art cardiovascular technology. It is always a privilege to support the exceptional physicians and surgeons who care for our community,” commented Glen Newhart, President of the St. Helena Hospital Foundation.

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Adventist Health St. Helena is part of Adventist Health, a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 80 communities on the West Coast and Hawaii. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides care in hospitals, clinics, home care agencies, hospice agencies and joint-venture retirement centers in both rural and urban communities. Our compassionate and talented team of 35,000 includes associates, medical staff physicians, allied health professionals and volunteers driven in pursuit of one mission: living God's love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope. Together, we are transforming the American healthcare experience with an innovative, yet timeless, whole-person focus on physical, mental, spiritual and social healing.