When minutes matter: New cardiovascular suite makes immediate impact at Jennie Edmundson

Every minute matters when it comes to a heart emergency. Kris Wiser’s journey vividly illustrates the critical impact that swift and seamless cardiac care can have. 

Many factors saved Wiser’s life after she had a heart attack last fall: her husband starting CPR at home, the quick arrival of paramedics and, finally, the synchronized efforts of the nationally recognized cardiac care team at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital. Wiser’s survival depended on every 
precious minute.

It was all hands on deck when Wiser arrived at the hospital, with emergency, cardiology and critical care staff working in unison. Her outcome was ultimately positive, but would that have been the case if she had to travel another 20 minutes to Omaha for care? Kris and her husband agree that she wouldn’t have survived.

Council Bluffs and western Iowa residents have access to one of the most advanced interventional cardiology teams at Jennie Edmundson, and now those providers have a renovated state-of-the-art cardiovascular suite in which to perform lifesaving cardiovascular procedures. Since the unveiling of the $6 million space in April, the cardiovascular
care team has been able to perform more 
procedures thanks to improved workflows, resulting in greater efficiency.

Jennie Edmundson Foundation embraced the ambitious goal of raising $1.5 million for the project, and progress so far has been nothing short of wonderful. The improvements allow the hospital to remain the premier provider of cardiovascular
services in the region.

“Our technology was 16 years old,” said Tara Slevin, the hospital’s chief philanthropy officer and president of the Foundation. “The space was also very small. So, not only did we need to upgrade the equipment, we also needed to expand the area to meet the growing need for this level of care in our community.”

Slevin also expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of the community, employees and board members. 

“When we began sharing the ‘why’ behind the initiative, our Jennie family and community truly stepped up,” she noted. “Their generosity reflects their understanding of how much a project like this matters.”

However, the journey is not yet complete. While fundraising efforts have been promising, Jennie Edmundson Foundation still needs your support to reach its goal. Every donation, regardless of size, can make a significant difference in sustaining top-tier cardiovascular care for our community. Together, let’s make every minute count at Methodist Jennie Edmundson Hospital.

To make a gift to support the cardiovascular suite capital campaign, click here or call (712) 396-6040.

Photo by Daniel Johnson