Woodland Heights Medical Center Completes Cath Lab Renovation to Enhance Cardiac Care
11/25/2025
Lufkin, Texas (November 14, 2025) – Woodland Heights Medical Center has completed a $3.7 million project to renovate one of its two cardiac catheterization laboratories with new equipment, updated technology and improved design and interface. This investment continues the hospital’s commitment to expanding access to quality cardiovascular care in East Texas, building on last year’s addition of new technology for left atrial appendage closure and pacemaker procedures as well as the Emergency Department expansion—which more than doubled emergency capacity.
The new cath lab will support a more efficient workflow, helping care teams perform a wide range of procedures such as diagnostic catheterizations, stenting and balloon angioplasty with greater ease and precision. It also delivers highly detailed imaging while using lower X-ray doses, enhancing patient safety.
For patient Tamara Trahan, the timing of the new cath lab was just right. “From the moment I arrived, the team at Woodland Heights and Dr. Mangla were absolutely awesome — I truly can’t say enough good things about my experience," states Mrs. Trahan, one of the first patients treated in the new cath lab. "They kept me informed every step of the way and made me feel calm and comfortable. After coming to the ER a couple of weeks ago with heart attack symptoms, having my heart cath done in the new cath lab gave me total confidence that I was in very competent hands. I am thankful to God for leading me to the right place with the right people for the best possible care.”
The equipment layout and controls are designed to improve flexibility and usability for clinical teams. Early testing with physicians has shown that the new system can help reduce the need to reposition patients and staff during procedures, which may improve comfort and access during minimally invasive treatments.
“Both our patients and our clinical staff can benefit from the speed, low-dose levels and improved image quality of the new system,” said Dr. Vivek Mangla, who performed Mrs. Trahan’s catheterization. Dr. Mangla is also Medical Director of the Cardiac Catheterization Lab at Woodland Heights. “It will allow us, as physicians, to complete a variety of procedures faster and that means the patient is off the table and on their way to recovery and discharge much sooner.”
With 14 cardiologists on active medical staff at Woodland Heights, the hospital is able to offer procedures to support the heart health of patients, including left atrial appendage closure for those at risk of stroke, wireless monitoring system for heart failure and coronary intervention procedures for artery blockages.
“Woodland Heights is proud to collaborate with our local independent cardiologists to provide quality heart care for Lufkin and the surrounding communities,” said Jose Echavarria, CEO of Woodland Heights. “This cath lab investment underscores our continued commitment to delivering safe, effective cardiovascular care close to home. Our cardiac rehabilitation program further supports patients throughout their recovery journey. We appreciate the ongoing support of our physicians, hospital staff, and Board of Trustees, and their shared commitment to making Woodland Heights the trusted choice for care.”
Cardiologist Dr. Vivek Mangla (far right) is pictured with cardiac cath lab director Charity Fennell (far left) and the cath lab team that were part of the first cases in the new cath lab.
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