York Hospital Raises $4.9M toward $6.4M Fundraising Goal in Support of Leading with Heart Cardiac Campaign

(L-R):  Dr. Patrick Taylor, York Hospital President/CEO, Sandra & Dr. Larry Petrovich, Carolyn Peterson,
Lauren Peterson, Anne & Jon Peterson & Phoebe Peterson.

York Hospital is celebrating the public kick-off of its $6.4M Leading with Heart Cardiac Campaign to raise money for the Petrovich Peterson Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. As of today, $4.9M has been raised toward that goal, with renovations currently in progress. The new laboratory is named in honor of Dr. Lawrence Petrovich, York Hospital’s Medical Director of Cardiology Emeritus, who is beloved by patients for his life-saving expertise and compassion. It is also named for the Peterson Family of York Harbor, Maine and Fairfax, Va., who are staunch believers in the power of supporting community.

Additionally, the hospital is grateful for the $2.5M in federal funding for the renovation and acquisition of the latest cardiac technology secured by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Angus King (I-Maine) through the omnibus funding package, fiscal year 2023 Health and Human Services appropriations bill. Their support of York Hospital and the patients it serves is most appreciated.

Statistics support that heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death in the US and Maine for both men and women. each year taking the life of one in seven adults. Timing is essential in treating heart attacks; immediate access to expert care and technology can significantly reduce muscle damage and directly impact survival. York Hospital understands and is committed to providing state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization lab access, with the latest diagnostic imaging technology, to the Seacoast community. This allows their expert team of cardiologists to perform a wide range of both routine and complex procedures to effectively diagnose and treat blockages. The new equipment will provide them with seamless tableside control, enhanced decision-making, ensure a sterile setting, enable high-quality, low-dose X-ray and simplified 3-D visualization and measurements.

Over 40 years ago, there was no cardiology practice between Portland and Boston until the arrival of the Seacoast’s first board-certified cardiologist, York Hospital’s Dr. Larry Petrovich. His innovative spirit led him to create Maine’s first Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, where he implanted the first heart stent and inserted the first dual-chamber pacemaker. Dr. Petrovich, recently retired, remains closely involved with the project as Co-Chair of the Leading with Heart Cardiac Campaign, along with Wendy Cote, a member of the Hospital’s Board of Trustees and Cape Neddick resident.

"The Leading with Heart campaign is crucial for ensuring our community has access to the best cardiac care possible," said Dr. Patrick Taylor, York Hospital President. "We are calling on our community, partners, and supporters to join us in this transformative journey to better serve our patients – and save lives."

With construction underway for the $7.5M project, the campaign to raise the remaining $6.4M will continue into next year, with plans to open the new center in early 2025.

For more information about York Hospital’s Leading with Heart Cardiac Campaign, contact Hilary Leonhard, Office of Philanthropy, at (207) 351-3430 or Hilary.Leonhard@yorkhospital.com. For more information about York Hospital programs and services, visit yorkhospital.com or contact the Community Relations team at (207) 351-2385 or info@yorkhospital.com.