Riverside Medical Center officials opened the facility’s new Cardiac Catheterization Lab to the public Friday.

The Cardiac Cath Lab is composed of one procedural suite. The suite provides both cardiac procedures and angiographic special procedures for adult and geriatric patients. Care of the patient includes pre-procedure assessment, implementation of the patient procedure plan and post-procedure care and evaluation. Patient and family teaching is incorporated into care.

Riverside C.E.O. Kyle Magee, cardiologist Frank Voelker and Riverside Director of Clinical Operations Crystal Lyons took turns cutting the cake, which signaled the opening of the lab.

“This is a momentous occasion,” Magee said. “This was like waiting for a baby to come. It was much anticipated and long awaited. This is a huge step forward for health care in Washington Parish.”

Marty Rogers is the Cath Lab manager. He is a cardiovascular invasive specialist.

Magee said having the new equipment will drastically cut down the time needed to transport patients to larger facilities.

“As far as intervention in a rural setting, we will have the ability to transport patients out of here in about nine minutes,” Magee said. “We’re excited and open for business.”

Lyons credited the facility’s board and staff for making the lab come to fruition.

“This is a vision I had for the last six or seven years,” Lyons said. “We couldn’t have done this without the board we have and staff.”

Voelker had high praise for the new facility.

“No other lab in St. Tammany or anywhere else started out like this,” Voelker said. “This is going to be fun.”

Rogers said the new facility is well worth the effort in getting it online.

“Our goal is to take care of all cardiovascular disease in Washington Parish and perform coronary intervention,” Rogers said. “I’m in awe because we have state of the art equipment. Following the guidelines, we can work our way up to coronary interventions. That’s the ultimate goal.”