Local periodontist and his wife donate to Cardiac Centre of Excellence
December 31, 2025
The Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation (CRHF), on behalf of its Board of Directors and the Southern Alberta Cardiac Sciences Advisory Cabinet, is proud to announce a generous $100,000 donation from Karen and Dr. Troy Basarab.
“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. 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 added: “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.”
This 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 January 31, 2027. 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 is incredible news for our community and countless patients and their loved ones across southern Alberta.” Said 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.”
Transforming Cardiac Care - Right Here in Southern Alberta
The project will significantly elevate cardiac health care at the two southern Alberta regional hospitals in Lethbridge and Medicine Hat.
Planned Key enhancements include:
- A new cardiac catheterization lab
- A dedicated electrophysiology lab
- Two new echocardiography labs
- Cardiac MRI and CT scanners
- Expanded cardiac ICU capacity
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.
Bringing Hearts Home: Keeping Families Together
For the first time, patients in Southern Alberta who require a life-saving stent procedure will be able to receive it right here in Lethbridge, eliminating the need for long, stressful trips to Calgary.
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.
“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,” added Crystal Elliott CEO Chinook Regional Hospital Foundation (CRHF). “Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier future, right here in southern Alberta.”
