By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
On Thursday, HaysMed had a Chamber in Hays ribbon cutting for its new hybrid operating room.
Both heart catheterization procedures and open heart surgeries can be performed in the new surgical suite.
With technological advances, doctors can perform more heart procedures without opening a patient's chest, Edward Herrman, president and CEO of HaysMed, said.
HaysMed did 1,600 cath lab procedures and 167 heart surgeries in 2024, Herrman said.
Dr. Niranjan Seshardi, interventional cardiologist, explained the functions of the operating room.
He said within the last 20 years, cardiac care has advanced to a "heart team approach." A surgeon and cardiologist treat a patient together.
"The patients benefit by having two sets of experts coming together and taking care of the patient," Seshardi said.
He said much of the new technology requires advanced imaging.
The lab can produce CT scans and other imaging that can be displayed on large screens throughout the OR. Using the new equipment, the doctors can use less contrast in imaging. Contrast can be harmful to people who have kidney issues.
The operating room also has a control room where various aspects of the patient's condition can be monitored. Then that information can be conveyed to the doctors in the operating room.
"Everybody is looking at a slightly different component as we're taking care of the patients, but we bring that all together in this hybrid OR suite," Seshardi said.
Herrman said the hybrid operating room is essential to patient care and recruiting physicians to HaysMed.
"This is a big win for the Hays community as well as all of the western Kansas communities we serve," Herrman said.
Herrman said, unlike metropolitan areas, HaysMed's patients come from very far away, some coming in by helicopter.
One of the major donors to the project was the Bickle Family Foundation, which donated $1.5 million.
Don Bickle Jr. spoke on behalf of his family, saying, "Our father is and has been a strong supporter of HaysMed and the positive impact it has not only on Hays but western Kansas. Nothing would make him prouder than to see HaysMed grow and prosper."
He continued, "The new hybrid OR is a perfect example of what it takes to be on the cutting edge and offer top-notch care to our community."
The Dennis and Patricia Norris family, J.E. and L.E. Mabee Foundation, Robert E. and Patricia Schmidt Foundation, Hadley Foundation, Verlin and Elaine Pfannenstiel, and High Plains Farm Credit also were major contributors to the project. Total support through the Hays Medical Center Foundation was $4.2 million, Jeff Brull, foundation director, said.
Joe Jeter, Hadley Foundation president, on Thursday additionally announced the establishment of a $500,000 permananet endowment to be known as the Dr. Paul McRae Memorial Fund for Cardio-pulmonary Care.
The earnings from the endowment will be used to provide equipment, education, programming and other benefits for cardio-pulmonary care for patients at HaysMed.
McRae was a practicing veterinarian and rancher in Hays for many years. He died last year. He also served on the Hadley Hospital and Hadley Foundation boards.
"This is a wonderful place to receive the best medical care possible," Jeter said of HaysMed. "We are so proud of it, and we hope to continue to benefit it as best we can. Thank you to everyone in the community for what you do."