Home is where the hearts are

By Lethbridge Herald on January 8, 2026.

SIEMENS HEALTHINEERS CANADA PHOTO A $100,000 donation by Karen and Dr. Troy Basarab to the ÒBringing Hearts HomeÓ Cardiac Campaign will help fund new specialized cardiac equipment at two hospitals in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, like this cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine.

Joe Manio

LETHBRIDGE HERALD

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation (CRHF), on behalf of its Board of Directors and the Southern Alberta Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet announced a generous $100,000 donation from Karen and Dr. Troy Basarab to help transform cardiac care in southern Alberta. 

Their gift represents another important step forward in the Foundation’s $30 million “Bringing Hearts Home” Cardiac Campaign, a transformational initiative running from September 2024 to Jan.31, 2027. 

The project will significantly elevate cardiac health care at the two southern Alberta regional hospitals in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.

The campaign is designed to ensure that more patients can access leading-edge cardiac care closer to home, reducing the need to travel to Calgary and keeping families together when it matters most. The campaign has raised $16.8 million to date. 

“This project is very important and personal for us,” said Karen Basarab. “My dad passed away from cardiac health issues in March 2025, and my mom is currently a heart function clinic patient.” 

Cardiac disease is the leading cause of death in southern Alberta, with mortality rates 29.6% higher than the provincial average and heart attack rates 15.5% higher than elsewhere in Alberta.

“We recognize that almost every family in our community will be impacted by cardiac health issues at some time. Troy and I are conscientious about diet and fitness, and we are impressed that the plan emphasizes both treatment and prevention.” Dr. Troy Basarab says. 

Although not originally from Lethbridge, home is definitely where where their hearts are.

“Lethbridge is not where either Karen or I grew up, but it has been home for us for decades now. It’s been a great place to practice periodontics and to raise a family. The dental community and the people of Lethbridge have been very good to us. Being a part of this community, we were only too happy to give back in this way,” says Basarab.

“This is incredible news for our community and countless patients and their loved ones across southern Alberta.” says Dr. Sayeh Zielke, AHS South Zone Physician Lead for Cardiac Services. 

“We are so thankful to the Basarabs for their generous support, and for sharing in our vision to transform cardiac care in our communities so our friends and family can access the care they need, when they need it, closer to home.” 

Planned Key enhancements include a new cardiac catheterization lab; a dedicated electrophysiology lab; two new echocardiography labs; cardiac MRI and CT scanners and expanded cardiac ICU capacity.

These advancements will enable more timely diagnoses, faster access to treatment, and improved patient outcomes, all without having to leave southern Alberta. 

The Government of Alberta is in the final stages of confirming the Functional Planning and Design phase with the final detailed plans having been submitted in December. 

Once completed, patients in Southern Alberta who require a life-saving stent procedure will be able to receive it right here in Lethbridge for the forest time, eliminating the need for long, stressful trips to Calgary. 

“With every new donation, we are getting closer to ensuring that patients and families can access the care they need, when they need it, without leaving their community,” says CRHF CEO Crystal Elliott. “Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier future, right here in southern Albertа.”