Adventist Health Tulare Offering a New, Lifesaving Heart Procedure. * Adventist Health Tulare Offering a New, Lifesaving Heart Procedure May 12, 2026 TULARE, CA - Adventist Health Tulare is expanding access to advanced heart care with the launch of Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), also known as coronary angioplasty. This minimally invasive, lifesaving procedure, which treats blocked or narrowed arteries, will allow community members to receive timely treatment close to home without needing to leave the city or undergo open-heart surgery. PCI is a minimally-invasive procedure used to treat coronary artery disease, which is a condition where plaque builds in the arteries that supply blood to the heart. This buildup can reduce blood flow, leading to symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and an increased risk of heart attack. During the procedure, a cardiologist inserts a thin tube through a blood vessel to reach the heart. A small balloon is then used to open the blocked artery, and a tiny mesh tube, called a stent, is set in place to help keep it open and restore healthy blood flow. As the leading cause of death in the United States, cardiovascular disease continues to impact millions of individuals and families each year. By offering PCI locally, Adventist Health Tulare is taking a significant step toward improving heart health outcomes across the community and surrounding areas. Adventist Health Tulare is licensed for an Elective PCI Program, meaning the hospital meets rigorous standards to safely perform this procedure and has the necessary protocols, training, specialized supplies, and expert care team in place. "This is a transformational moment for cardiac care in our community," said Patrick Hoffman, director of cardiopulmonary services at Adventist Health Central California Network. "The cardiac catheterization lab team in Tulare has been able to diagnose coronary artery disease, but patients often needed to be transferred elsewhere for treatment. With PCI approval, we are no longer limited to just identifying the problem - we can now treat it immediately." Timely care is critical when it comes to heart disease. "In cardiology, time is muscle," said Ankur Gupta, MD, interventional cardiologist at Adventist Health in Central California. "When a patient is experiencing a heart attack or critical coronary blockage, every minute is vital. The ability to open blocked arteries and restore blood flow in real time reduces treatment delays, limits the need for patient transfers, and significantly improves clinical outcomes." The addition of PCI services also ensures patients can remain close to home during critical moments in their care. "This advancement allows our community members to receive comprehensive cardiac treatment surrounded by their loved ones and support systems," Hoffman added. "It reflects our commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based care that meets national standards." The PCI program will be led by a team of experienced cardiologists, including Drs. Ankur Gupta, Reza Rafie, Shashi Sharma, Atul Singla, and Bikram Soni, along with specially trained nurses and cardiovascular technologists. With this expansion, Adventist Health Tulare strengthens its ability to respond to cardiac emergencies and provide seamless, lifesaving care when seconds count. For more information about cardiac services at Adventist Health Tulare, visit: Adventisthealthcentralca.org/HeartCare Adventist Health Tulare Offering a ... Adventist Health Tulare * Amanda Jaurigui Marketing & Communications Manager * May 12, 2026 * 559-572-6882 * Send Email Business Directory News Releases Events Calendar Hot Deals Job Postings Contact Us * New California Workplace Injury Reporting Requirements * Contact Information * Tulare Chamber of Commerce 220 E. Tulare Ave Tulare, CA 93274 Tel: (559) 686-1547 Fax: (559) 686-4915 [email protected]

Clearlake Planning Commission to consider Hope Center expansion. LAKE COUNTY, Calif. - The Clearlake Planning Commission this week will consider a project to expand a facility that addresses homelessness and also will elect its new leadership for this year. The commission will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive. The agenda can be found here. Submit comments and questions in writing for commission consideration by sending them to Administrative Services Director/City Clerk Melissa Swanson at [email protected]. Identify the subject you wish to comment on in your email's subject line. Community members also can participate via Zoom. To register, visit this link. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. The passcode is 282141. To give the Planning Commission adequate time to review your questions and comments, please submit written comments before 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 21. At Tuesday's meeting, the commission will hold a public hearing to consider a conditional use permit and categorical environment exemption for the expansion of the Hope center, located at 3400 Emerson St. In March, Adventist Health announced that it has received $6.3 million in PATH CITED 2 funding from the California Department of Health Care Services to expand the Hope Center, which uses a coordinated care approach that includes housing navigation and supportive services to address homelessness. The facility opened in 2020, at which point it was approved under a conditional use permit that authorized the conversion of an existing 6,100 square foot office building into a 20-bed medical support residential care facility, according to the staff report for Tuesday's meeting. "The facility provides recuperative care and supportive services for individuals experiencing housing instability, as well as those recovering from an illness or injury but do not require hospitalization," the staff report noted. The expansion would add another 7,000 square feet to the one-story structure, bringing total size to 13,100 square feet. The staff report said the expansion would create an additional 15 dual-occupancy bedrooms, resulting in 30 additional onsite residents, along with 10 administrative offices, a community room, a dining area, a commercial kitchen with cold storage, restrooms, meeting rooms, and a reception/registration lobby. The Hope Center will continue to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with three shifts per day with six to eight employees per shift, staff reported. In other business, the commission will nominate and appoint the chair and vice chair for 2026. Email Elizabeth Larson at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, and on Bluesky, @erlarson.bsky.social. Find Lake County News on the following platforms: Facebook, @LakeCoNews; X, @LakeCoNews; Threads, @lakeconews, and on Bluesky, @lakeconews.bsky.social.