DeTar Healthcare System and Gonzales Healthcare Systems Strengthen Emergency Cardiac Response Through STEMI Drill
4/20/2026
DeTar Healthcare System, in collaboration with Gonzales Healthcare Systems, conducted a STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) drill on Friday, April 17, to enhance emergency response readiness for patients experiencing severe heart attacks. The exercise provided a critical opportunity to evaluate coordination among hospital emergency departments, EMS teams, and DeTar’s cardiovascular specialists—ensuring patients across the Crossroads region receive rapid, life-saving care when it matters most.
Simulating a Life-Saving Response Across Counties
The drill began at Gonzales Healthcare Systems' emergency department, where a simulated patient, portrayed by Gonzales Healthcare Systems CEO, Brandon Anzaldua, arrived exhibiting symptoms of a severe heart attack. The ER team quickly assessed the patient, activated a STEMI alert within four minutes, and prepared for urgent transport.
Gonzales County EMS then transported the patient to DeTar Hospital Navarro’s emergency department. There, the DeTar team seamlessly assumed care, accessing the patient in the ER and transferring to the cath lab within 8 minutes. The scenario concluded in the cardiac catheterization lab, where interventional cardiologist Dr. Harish Chandna stood ready to perform the procedure necessary to restore blood flow to the heart. Per the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association goal metrics, the door-to-door reperfusion time of less than 120 minutes was successfully achieved.
Improving Cardiac Care Across the Crossroads
“This STEMI drill demonstrated how vital teamwork and communication are between regional hospitals and EMS providers,” Jolene Balboa, R.N., director of cardiovascular services at DeTar, said. “Every second counts during a heart attack, and exercises like this are essential for refining our response times and improving patient outcomes.”
“We are incredibly proud of the collaboration between our emergency department and DeTar’s ER and cardiac team,” Brandon Anzaldua, CEO of Gonzales Healthcare Systems, said.
Anzaldua continued, “The safest thing for people to do when experiencing chest pain is to go to the nearest emergency department. By practicing these scenarios, we’re better prepared to deliver the fastest, highest-quality care to patients in Gonzales County and beyond.”
Amber Pawlik, ER director at Gonzales Memorial Hospital, emphasized the importance of preparation at the frontline of care. “Our emergency department is often the first point of contact for patients experiencing a heart attack,” Pawlik said. “Drills like this ensure our team can rapidly recognize symptoms, activate life-saving protocols, and work seamlessly with EMS and our regional partners to give patients the best possible chance at survival.”
Regional Collaboration in Action
“We thank Gonzales Healthcare Systems’ ER and EMS teams for their professionalism and dedication during this training,” Brett Maxfield, CEO of DeTar Healthcare System, said. “These partnerships allow us to extend advanced cardiac care to more communities throughout the Crossroads region. We also commend our own emergency department and cath lab teams for their continued excellence and readiness.”
“DeTar Healthcare System remains committed to supporting healthcare professionals and partnering with hospitals across the region to strengthen emergency response networks,” Balboa said. “Through drills like these, we are building a stronger safety net for patients across the Crossroads.”
Back