San Marcos, TX — Gloria Ingram and the Ingram family were recently recognized for their generous contribution of $1M to the CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital Foundation. Their donation has enabled the establishment of a state-of-the-art Electrophysiology (EP) Lab at CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital in San Marcos, marking a significant advancement in cardiac care for the community and surrounding areas.
The newly inaugurated EP Lab will focus on diagnosing and treating complex heart conditions by examining and mapping the heart's electrical system. The addition of these services complements the hospital's upgraded catheterization (Cath) lab, reinforcing the hospital’s position as a regional leader in cardiovascular care.
“This gift further demonstrates our ability to follow a mission which is extending the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, as well as a way that we can continue to live out core values as well as dignity, integrity, compassion, excellence and stewardship and family, we will be good stewards of this equipment,” said Bob Honeycutt, President/CEO of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital – San Marcos. “We are so grateful to Mrs. Ingram, her family and the compassion she has for the people of San Marcos, and we are honored to extend our appreciation to you.”
With the introduction of the EP Lab, patients suffering from cardiac arrhythmias — abnormal heart rhythms — can undergo precise diagnostic procedures known as EP studies. These studies identify the source of electrical misfires within the heart, enabling targeted treatments that can be performed on-site with greater speed, safety, and accuracy. For patients experiencing life-threatening arrhythmias, this rapid access to comprehensive care could be the difference between life and death.
Key Benefits to Patients:
The ability to diagnose and treat a full range of cardiac emergencies on-site, reducing the need for patient transfers and minimizing potential damage to the heart.
A fully equipped cardiac surgery team capable of handling complex cases immediately, ensuring patients receive continuous care without delays that could cost valuable lifesaving time.
The EP Lab, which specializes in assessing and repairing the heart's electrical system, is equipped with cutting-edge technology designed to monitor, map, and treat irregular heartbeats. One of the primary conditions treated in this facility is atrial fibrillation (AFib), the most common type of cardiac arrhythmia. Affecting approximately 33 million people worldwide, AFib can significantly reduce the quality of life, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath, and exercise limitations. Alarmingly, between 15 and 30 percent of individuals with AFib experience no symptoms, making timely diagnosis more critical.
As the community celebrates the opening of this vital new facility, CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Hospital and the Ingram family’s philanthropic partnership mark a pivotal step toward providing the best cardiac care for residents of San Marcos and beyond. The EP Lab will not only offer a higher level of care but also save lives by delivering fast, effective treatments for complex heart conditions.
“We’re very grateful to mother for having the vision, to see what was important,” said Earl Ingram, President/CEO of Ingram Readymix Concrete. “Mom and Dad always encouraged us to be engaged in the community and pushed us to participate. Thanks to the hospital for having the vision to grow with our community.”
This is not the first time the Ingram family has contributed to the hospital. In 2015 the family donated $1.1M to establish a Cardiac Cath Lab.