A collaboration between Community Healthcare System and U.S. Rep. Frank J. Mrvan is bringing lifesaving technology to cardiac patients throughout Northwest Indiana.
Mrvan and hospital leaders on Friday announced a $1.5 million federal grant for the cardiovascular department at St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago. This investment will go toward a multimillion-dollar remodeling project for the cardiac catheterization lab.
St. Catherine long has been known for its cardiovascular care in the area. It was the first hospital in Northwest Indiana to perform open-heart surgery and continues to lead the way in cardiac care for patients in East Chicago and neighboring communities.
The majority of the funds will be delegated toward an Azurion 7 C20 Catalyst table, which uses low-dosage X-ray levels to provide high-quality cardiovascular imaging. The advancement in X-ray technology means patients will be exposed to less radiation without sacrificing quality or detail in images.
The technology also will offer new imaging opportunities, including StentBoost Live – a camera that will improve visualization during stent placement and provide real-time 3D impressions of arteries.
“Today is about assuring the city of East Chicago and every resident that St. Catherine is thriving and investing in technology that can give them access to care that’s equal to anywhere around the world,” Mrvan said.
He has seen firsthand the resources and care that are available at St. Catherine – the hospital has been a top choice for his parents, grandparents and himself. Before representing Indiana’s 1st District in Congress, Mrvan served as North Township trustee for 15 years. In that role, he often heard from residents who faced obstacles in accessing health care.
Mrvan now advocates for the medically vulnerable on a national level. This $1.5 million investment at St. Catherine Hospital will be provided by the Health Resources & Services Administration, which offers grants for healthcare facilities in areas with a high concentration of underinsured populations.
“You take care of the most vulnerable populations, and you do it day in and day out,” Mrvan told hospital leaders. “This technology lifts the gold standard here in Northwest Indiana. It allows us to have the same technology as you would in the city of Chicago, but it's right here in East Chicago.”
St. Catherine Hospital CEO Leo Correa thanked Mrvan for his help in securing this crucial funding for the Region.
“He knows our story. He knows we are an anchor here in East Chicago, and he knows Community Healthcare System is committed to investing in the best resources for Northwest Indiana,” Correa said.
Edward Williams, president of the St. Catherine Hospital Board of Directors, echoed Correa’s sentiment in thanking Mrvan for his support.
“We would like to say a personal word of thanks for the work and diligence that you do on behalf of assisting us when it comes to all of these valuable community projects and pieces of equipment that keep our community safe,” Williams said.
Mrvan said he looks forward to finding more ways to provide essential health care for those in Northwest Indiana.
“Let us keep going forward working in a collaborative effort to be able to provide world-class health care to individuals,” he said. “As a member of Congress, I will listen to your concerns and do my best to deliver so that we can provide access to health care, the best technology, and really invest in the community of East Chicago.”
To learn more about St. Catherine Hospital and Community Healthcare System, visit COMHS.org/.