Southcoast Health Unveils Second Hybrid Operating Room at Charlton Memorial Hospital, Elevating Heart & Vascular Care Across the Region

Southcoast Health celebrated the opening of its second state-of-the-art Hybrid Operating Room (OR) at Charlton Memorial Hospital today, marking a major milestone in expanding access to advanced cardiovascular care for patients across southeastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island.

This innovative surgical suite integrates high-resolution imaging technology with a fully equipped operating room, enabling physicians to perform complex, minimally invasive procedures with real-time precision. These include transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) – a procedure that replaces a narrowed aortic valve without open-heart surgery – and MitraClip implantation, which treats mitral valve leakage by clipping the valve’s leaflets together through a catheter, avoiding the need for traditional surgery.

“This facility represents a bold step forward in our mission to deliver world-class care close to home,” said David O. McCready, President and CEO of Southcoast Health. “It’s a powerful investment in the health of our community – today and for generations to come.”

“This facility represents a bold step forward in our mission to deliver world-class care close to home,” said David O. McCready, President and CEO of Southcoast Health. “It’s a powerful investment in the health of our community – today and for generations to come.”

Charlton Memorial now offers two Hybrid Operating Rooms, reinforcing its role as the flagship location for Southcoast Health Heart & Vascular. These advanced suites support a full spectrum of minimally invasive heart and vascular procedures, offering patients access to cutting-edge care without leaving the region. The award-winning Harold & Virginia Lash Heart & Vascular Center at Charlton Memorial was funded by contributions from generous donors. For information on charitable giving to support Southcoast Health Heart & Vascular, please visit Heart & Vascular – Southcoast Health.

St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford also features a Hybrid OR, focused on minimally invasive vascular interventions, further strengthening Southcoast Health’s commitment to comprehensive cardiovascular care across the South Coast.

“Every detail of the Hybrid OR was designed to enhance patient safety and clinical excellence,” said Peter Cohn, MD, Chief of Southcoast Health Heart & Vascular. “It fosters seamless collaboration among cardiologists, vascular surgeons, and other specialists – ensuring patients receive the most personalized and effective care possible.”

“Our TAVR program has earned elite 3-star ratings from both the Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the American College of Cardiology, placing us among the top-performing centers in North America,” said Adam Saltzman, MD, Medical Director of the Structural Heart Program at Southcoast Health. “The addition of a second Hybrid Operating Room at the Harold & Virginia Lash Heart & Vascular Center at Charlton Memorial is a game-changer – it allows us to expand access, reduce wait times, and continue delivering the highest level of care to patients who need it most.”

Southcoast Health Heart & Vascular delivers integrated, high-quality care – from preventive screenings and diagnostics to advanced treatments and life-saving procedures. The program has earned the highest 3-star rating from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) for excellence in heart bypass surgery and is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a High-Performing Hospital for procedures including:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair
• Heart arrhythmia
• Heart failure
• Pacemaker implantation
• TAVR

Additionally, Southcoast Health ranks among the top 4% to 8% of TAVR centers in the U.S. and Canada, with elite 3-star ratings from both the STS and the American College of Cardiology (ACC).

To learn more about Heart & Vascular care at Southcoast Health, visit heart.southcoast.org or call 508-973-9500 to schedule an appointment.