St. Charles Foundation Invests $1.5M in Cardiac Care Upgrade

New electrophysiology and cardiac catheterization labs open, allowing more advanced procedures to be performed locally.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 6:09pm

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A detailed, translucent X-ray image showing the complex internal structure of a human heart, with glowing lines and shapes representing the organ's intricate anatomy.The new cardiac catheterization labs at St. Charles Bend utilize advanced imaging technology to provide specialized treatment for heart rhythm disorders.Bend Today

St. Charles Foundation has invested $1.5 million to upgrade cardiac care facilities at St. Charles Bend, including the opening of new electrophysiology and cardiac catheterization labs. The investment allows physicians to perform advanced procedures like Pulse Field Ablation and has resulted in a 27% increase in electrophysiology treatments over the past year.

Why it matters

The upgrades focus on improving care for patients with irregular heart rhythms by providing state-of-the-art technology close to home, allowing more cardiac patients in Central Oregon to receive specialized care without having to travel outside the region.

The details

The primary advancement in the new labs is the introduction of Pulse Field Ablation (PFA), a minimally invasive treatment designed for patients experiencing atrial fibrillation. PFA uses non-thermal electric pulses to selectively destroy heart tissue, offering safety benefits compared to older thermal ablation methods.

  • The new labs opened in 2025.
  • Since the opening, more than 285 patients have received Pulse Field Ablation.

The players

St. Charles Foundation

A private, nonprofit corporation that operates hospitals and clinics in Central Oregon, including St. Charles Bend.

Lesley Jones Larson

Cardiac service line administrator at St. Charles.

Dr. Chris Lewis

A cardiac electrophysiologist at St. Charles.

Jenny O'Bryan

Executive director of the St. Charles Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“Thanks to these updates, we can treat more patients and offer more state-of-the art services, allowing more cardiac patients to keep their care close to home.”

— Lesley Jones Larson, Cardiac service line administrator at St. Charles

“This is a significant advantage over older thermal ablation energies, as there is improved recovery and significantly lower risk to injuring structures surrounding the heart. Ultimately, this allows us to perform safer procedures and offer atrial fibrillation ablation treatments to a larger group of patients.”

— Dr. Chris Lewis, Cardiac electrophysiologist at St. Charles

“This effort means a great deal to our donors, as it allows St. Charles to be an early adopter of technology that is helping transform cardiac care for Central Oregonians.”

— Jenny O'Bryan, Executive director of the St. Charles Foundation

What’s next

The new cardiac care facilities are expected to continue expanding their services and patient capacity in the coming years.

The takeaway

The investment by St. Charles Foundation demonstrates the organization's commitment to bringing advanced cardiac care technology and treatments to the Central Oregon region, improving access and outcomes for local patients.