Strengthening Regional Cardiac Care: DeTar and Lavaca Medical Center STEMI Exercise

8/3/2026

DeTar Healthcare System, in partnership with Lavaca Medical Center, recently conducted a STEMI (ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction) drill to strengthen emergency response procedures for patients experiencing severe heart attacks. The exercise allowed clinical teams, EMS personnel, and cardiovascular specialists to evaluate coordination and response times while reinforcing their commitment to delivering timely, high-quality cardiac care throughout the Crossroads region.

Simulating a Coordinated Emergency Response

The drill began in Lavaca Medical Center’s emergency department, where a simulated patient, portrayed by Michelle Hall, Education coordinator and clinical informatics lead at Lavaca Medical Center, arrived exhibiting signs of a severe heart attack. The emergency department team rapidly evaluated the patient, activated a STEMI alert within three minutes, and initiated preparations for emergency transport.

Lavaca County EMS then transported the patient to DeTar Hospital Navarro’s emergency department. Upon arrival, the DeTar team immediately assumed care, evaluating the patient and transferring them to the cardiac catheterization laboratory within seven minutes. The scenario concluded in the cath lab, where interventional cardiologist Dr. Charles Howard was prepared to perform the procedure needed to restore blood flow to the heart. The teams successfully met the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association benchmark of achieving a door-to-door reperfusion time of less than 120 minutes, completing it in 97 minutes.

Strengthening Cardiac Care Through Preparedness

“Training exercises like this help us identify opportunities to improve and reinforce the processes that are critical during a cardiac emergency,” said Jolene Balboa, R.N., director of cardiovascular services at DeTar. “By bringing together EMS providers, emergency departments, and cardiovascular specialists, we can ensure patients receive efficient, coordinated care from the moment they seek help.”

“At Lavaca Medical Center, we are dedicated to fulfilling the trust of our community by delivering the highest quality care, even in the most critical moments. The success of this drill reflects the professionalism of our team and the strength of our partnerships."

Collaborating with regional providers allows us to ensure that advanced cardiac services are available to our patients when they need them most, reinforcing our commitment to healthcare excellence,” said Steve Bowen, CEO of Lavaca Medical Center. Bowen added, “When someone experiences symptoms of a heart attack, seeking immediate medical attention is the most important step. Practicing these scenarios allows us to refine our coordination and improve patient outcomes. At Lavaca Medical Center, we strive to make every interaction compassionate and effective, ensuring we are always prepared to provide the best care for our patients and their families.”

Holly Cliffe, assistant director of nursing at Lavaca Medical Center, highlighted the value of ongoing emergency preparedness efforts. “Rapid recognition and response are key factors in treating a STEMI patient,” Cliffe said. “Exercises like this help our staff sharpen their skills, strengthen communication, and ensure every member of the care team is prepared to act quickly when real emergencies occur.”

Regional Partnerships Supporting Better Outcomes

“We are grateful for the collaboration demonstrated by Lavaca Medical Center, Lavaca County EMS, and our own emergency and cardiovascular teams,” said Brett Maxfield, CEO of DeTar Healthcare System. “These training opportunities strengthen the relationships and processes that allow us to provide advanced cardiac services across the region and improve outcomes for the patients we serve.”

“Preparedness is an ongoing commitment,” Balboa said. “By regularly evaluating and refining our response systems, we can continue building a coordinated network of care that supports patients throughout the Crossroads area.”

To learn more about Lavaca Medical Center, visit lavacamedcen.com.

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