Bringing Care Closer to Home | $100,000 Donation to Proposed Cardiac Centre of Excellence
September 16, 2025
Lethbridge, AB – September 16, 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 longtime foundation and hospital supporters Glenn and Janice Varzari.
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.
“This is incredible news for our Lethbridge hospital and for countless patients across southern Alberta,” said Dr. David Stewart, Zone Medical Director. “The Southern Alberta Cardiac Centre of Excellence will transform how we deliver cardiac care in our region, allowing patients to receive the procedures and treatments they need right here, close to home. It’s inspiring to see donors like the Varzari’s helping make this vision a reality.”
The Government of Alberta has reinforced its support through Budget 2025, specifically funding the planning of the catheterization lab and cardiac ICU. The government also accelerated the Functional Planning and Design phase, which is set to conclude later in December of 2025."
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 each new gift, 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. “Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier future, right here at home.”
Longtime Healthcare Supporters Make $100,000 Donation to Proposed Cardiac Centre of Excellence — Bringing Care Closer to Home
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 longtime foundation and hospital supporters Glenn and Janice Varzari.
“We are honoured to contribute this donation, as heart disease has touched the lives of many within our families and circle of friends. We hope that our support will help enhance heart health services across southern Alberta.” - Glenn & Janice Varzari
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.
“This is incredible news for our Lethbridge hospital and for countless patients across southern Alberta,” said Dr. David Stewart, Zone Medical Director. “The Southern Alberta Cardiac Centre of Excellence will transform how we deliver cardiac care in our region, allowing patients to receive the procedures and treatments they need right here, close to home. It’s inspiring to see donors like the Varzari’s helping make this vision a reality.”
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 has reinforced its support through Budget 2025, specifically funding the planning of the catheterization lab and cardiac ICU. The government also accelerated the Functional Planning and Design phase, which is set to conclude later in December of 2025."
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 each new gift, 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. “Together, we’re building a stronger, healthier future, right here at home.”
