Leading with Heart: York Hospital nears fundraising goal for new cardiac lab

YORK, Maine — York Hospital has raised $4.9 million toward its $6.4 million goal for the Petrovich Peterson Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.

"The 'Leading with Heart' campaign is crucial for ensuring our community has access to the best cardiac care possible," said York Hospital President Dr. Patrick Taylor. "We are calling on our community, partners, and supporters to join us in this transformative journey to better serve our patients – and save lives."

The new laboratory is in honor of Dr. Lawrence Petrovich, York Hospital’s medical director of Cardiology Emeritus, who is beloved by patients for his life-saving expertise and compassion. It is also named for the Peterson family of York Harbor, Maine, and Fairfax, Virginia, who are staunch believers in the power of supporting community.

Petrovich was the first board-certified cardiologist on the Seacoast and created the first Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory in Maine. He implanted the first heart stent and inserted the first dual-chamber pacemaker.

Petrovich, recently retired, remains closely involved with the project as co-chair of the Leading with Heart Cardiac Campaign, along with Wendy Cote, a member of the Hospital’s Board of Trustees and Cape Neddick resident.

In addition to fundraising, the hospital received $2.5 million in federal funding for the renovation and acquisition of the latest cardiac technology. The funding was secured by U.S. Senators Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, through the omnibus funding package in the fiscal year 2023 Health and Human Services appropriations bill.

York Hospital officials said they are committed to providing state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab access with the latest diagnostic imaging technology.

Statistics support that heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the U.S. and Maine for both men and women, each year taking the life of one in seven adults. Timing is essential in treating heart attacks; immediate access to expert care and technology can significantly reduce muscle damage and directly impact survival.

The new lab, officials said, will allow their expert team of cardiologists to perform a wide range of routine and complex procedures to effectively diagnose and treat blockages. The new equipment will provide them with seamless tableside control, enhanced decision-making, ensure a sterile setting, enable high-quality, low-dose X-rays, and simplified 3-D visualization and measurements.

Construction for the new laboratory is underway. The campaign to raise the remaining funds will continue into next year, with plans to open the new center in early 2025.