Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) Health Services, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Health Care Foundation are pleased to officially announce the completion of the cardiac catheterization (cath) lab revitalization project at the Health Sciences Centre, home to the Provincial Cardiovascular and Stroke Program.

The revitalization of the cardiac cath labs was made possible through a philanthropic investment of $6.6 million from the Health Care Foundation, reflecting the extraordinary generosity of donors committed to advancing cardiac care in the province, and supported by additional investments of approximately $6.5 million from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

This transformative initiative included the complete modernization of advanced cardiac imaging and interventional technology that provides clearer imaging while reducing radiation exposure for patients and staff, enabling cardiologists to perform procedures with greater precision and confidence. The project also added a fourth lab and introduced a new radial lounge recovery space, expanding procedural capacity and strengthening timely access to safe, high quality cardiac care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“In addition to enabling more cardiac procedures to be performed each day, these modern and upgraded spaces also help to improve the overall patient care experience,” said Ron Johnson, chief executive officer (interim) of NL Health Services. “Thank you to the dedicated and highly skilled cardiologists, nurses and technologists who work in the cath lab and to all health-care professionals, physicians and staff of the Provincial Cardiovascular and Stroke Program who are committed to providing high-quality care for patients each day.”

“This milestone reflects the extraordinary generosity of donors who made this advancement possible,” said Paul Snow, president and CEO of the Health Care Foundation. “Patients requiring cardiac intervention will now be supported by a clinical environment designed for precision, safety, and timely treatment. Philanthropy plays a critical role in advancing care and supporting the teams who deliver it.”

This long-standing partnership between the health authority and the Health Care Foundation is helping to drive meaningful progress within the Provincial Cardiovascular and Stroke Program and beyond.

“Our new government is focused on ensuring timely and quality health care for all residents. Completion of the new modern cardiac cath lab is an important achievement that will help strengthen the quality and accessibility of cardiac care in the province,” said the Honourable Lela Evans, Minister of Health and Community Services.

The cardiac cath lab revitalization project began in August 2021 and was recently completed with the opening of the fourth cath lab in October 2025 and the radial lounge recovery space in February 2026.

-30-

BACKGROUNDER

Cardiac catheterization laboratories

• Cardiac catheterization laboratories, or cath labs, are specialized hospital procedure rooms designed to diagnose and treat heart disease.
• In these labs, cardiologists, nurses and technologists work as a coordinated team.
• Using advanced imaging technology, the team guides catheters to the heart to diagnose and treat blocked arteries, install pacemakers and defibrillators, and treat electrical problems of the heart.

Radial lounge recovery space

• The radial lounge is a dedicated recovery and patient flow area for individuals undergoing cardiac cath procedures that access the heart through the wrist (the radial artery).
• Radial procedures use the wrist rather than the groin, which allows for greater patient comfort, decreased risk and earlier recovery. Having a dedicated space for this type of recovery frees up resources for patients with more complex needs who require more intensive supports.