Peconic Bay Medical Center To Offer New Cardiac Care Center

RIVERHEAD, NY — In a move that will bring lifesaving services close to home, Northwell Health’s Peconic Bay Medical Center received approval from New York State Health Commissioner Howard Zucker, MD, to create two laboratory cardiac catheterization and electrophysiology suites — and to construct a rooftop helipad.

The new “cath labs” will be the first facilities of their kind on the East End, and they have the potential to save hundreds of lives each year, a release from PBMC said.

The two new additions will form the crown jewel of comprehensive cardiac care center, to be named the Kanas Regional Heart Center, and will be housed in Peconic Bay Medical Center’s new $60-million critical care tower, the release said.

“It is fitting that we get this long-awaited green light following National Heart Health Month,” said Andrew Mitchell, president and CEO of Peconic Bay Medical Center. “East End residents have had to travel farther for advanced cardiac services than anyone else in the tri-state area, and considering that heart ailments require quick diagnosis and treatment, this facility will make a real difference. It will save lives.”

Cardiac catheterization labs are used to place stents in a person’s heart, to open blocked passageways and to perform a range of other related life-saving procedures; electrophysiology labs are used to diagnose and treat heart arrhythmias, the release said. The new Peconic Bay Medical Center Cath Labs will feature the most recent advances in catheterization technology.

And, in conjunction with the New York State approval, the Town of Riverhead also recently approved a zoning change and site plan for what will again be one of the largest expansions in the history of the hospital.

“Our community has long needed the kind of services we will now be able to provide through this comprehensive critical care tower,” said Sherry Patterson, chair of the Peconic Bay Medical Center. “We are grateful for the support of so many generous members of the community in helping us fund this project. Their dreams and ours are about to become a reality.”

Peconic Bay Medical Center recently announced a $5 million gift from the John and Elaine Kanas Family Foundation to provide advanced cardiac care options at the hospital.

In addition, Eastern Suffolk Cardiology has recently joined the Northwell Health family, of which Peconic Bay Medical Center is the East End’s primary hub.

Stanley Katz, MD, chair of cardiology and chief of interventional cardiology at Peconic Bay Medical Center, has been instrumental in the planning and design of the new cath labs; the senior vice president, executive director and chair of Northwell Health’s cardiology services has helped develop a vast network that resulted in providing world-class cardiology care across our region, the release said.

Dr. Katz will now be focused on expanding the Northwell Health cardiology services on the East End.