Ushering in a New Era in Heart and Vascular Care for Community Members in the Mercer County Region
Hamilton, N.J., May 27, 2025 — Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital (RWJUH) Hamilton, an RWJBarnabas Health facility, recently celebrated the opening of its new, 5,500 square foot, state-of-the-art cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab). The new cath lab features the latest technology to provide patients suffering from heart attacks and other heart and vascular conditions life-saving, world-class care, close to home. Cath lab procedures include percutaneous coronary intervention/angioplasties, carotid stenting, peripheral vascular interventions, loop recorder insertion, and temporary pacemaker insertion, just to name a few.
Pictured in the group are Conor Barrett, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer, Heart and Vascular Services at RWJBarnabas Health; Bill Arnold, Executive Vice President, President Southern Region at RWJBarnabas Health; Lisa Breza, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Hamilton; Mahmoud S. Ghusson, MD, FACC, FACP, President and CEO of Hamilton Cardiology Associates (HCA); Mayor Jeff Martin, Hamilton Township, NJ; Cardiologists at HCA; members of RWJUH Hamilton Board of Trustees; Senior Leadership at RWJUH Hamilton; as well as donors and supporters.
“As we open the doors to our new cardiac catheterization laboratory, we are not just advancing technology—we’re also strengthening the heart of our community,” said Lisa Breza, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Hamilton. “The investment in this state-of-the-art facility and further enhancement of our cardiac services allows the team to continue to provide quality care with the latest technology and represents our commitment to providing world-class heart and vascular treatments for the communities we serve.”
Many heart and vascular conditions can be diagnosed and treated in the cath lab, including heart attacks, congestive heart failure, pulmonary embolisms, and peripheral vascular disease. The new lab features advanced diagnostic tools which provides detailed visualization of the heart and blood vessels, enabling the precise diagnosis of cardiovascular conditions. This technology also allows for real-time monitoring of heart and arterial functions which supports immediate decision-making and enhanced care.
Pictured are Lisa Breza, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Hamilton; Mahmoud S. Ghusson, MD, FACC, FACP, President and CEO of Hamilton Cardiology Associates (HCA); and Connie Moceri, MSN, RN, AGNP-C, Administrative Director Patient Care-Cardiovascular Services & Healthy Lives Hamilton Program, RWJUH Hamilton.
“The opening of the new cath lab allows us to employ the latest interventional and diagnostic techniques to treat cardiovascular conditions while enhancing our ability to perform complex procedures and ultimately improve outcomes in a critical area of heart health,” said Mahmoud S. Ghusson, MD, FACC, FACP, President and CEO of Hamilton Cardiology Associates (HCA) and long-time cardiologist who worked closely with RWJUH Hamilton to establish its first cardiac catheterization lab. “This cath lab is not just a space. It is a symbol of hope, healing and endless possibilities for our community.”
RWJUH Hamilton’s heart and vascular services’ multidisciplinary, integrated and patient-centric approach to care delivery provides patients with a network of comprehensive cardiovascular and thoracic care options, produces results which exceed national quality benchmarks, and features the latest technology, innovative trials, and best team of clinicians. RWJUH Hamilton is part of one of the largest and broadest cardiac care programs in New Jersey and handles all aspects of heart and vascular health. Through a strong legacy partnership with HCA, patients have access to safe, quality care at both RWJUH Hamilton and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where medical experts provide even more highly specialized complex cardiac treatments.
Pictured from left to right are Michael Pratico, Jr., Chair of the RWJUH Hamilton Board of Trustees; Cynthia E. Vona, DDS, MD, Vice Chair, RWJUH Hamilton Board of Trustees; Samantha Zbik; Lisa Breza, RN, MSN, NEA-BC, Chief Administrative Officer, RWJUH Hamilton; and Seth D. Rosenbaum, MD, MMM, Senior Vice President & Chief Medical Officer, RWJUH Hamilton.
“This new cath lab reflects our commitment to an integrated, patient-centric approach to heart and vascular care,” added Conor Barrett, MD, MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Clinical Officer of RWJBarnabas Health Heart and Vascular. “Advanced technology combined with an expert team of interventional cardiologists, technologists, and specialized nurses, allows us to provide personalized and compassionate care that is tailored to the unique needs of every heart and vascular patient, from diagnosis to recovery.”
RWJUH Hamilton has provided essential heart and vascular care such as cardiac catheterizations and angioplasty to clear blocked arteries for more than 16 years. The hospital received licensing to perform elective, or non-emergent, angioplasty procedures in early 2022 and opened a Cardiac Interventional Suite providing private patient and family rooms for both pre- and post-procedure care.
RWJUH Hamilton’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program provides an individualized, medically supervised health and fitness program to help patients take an active role in improving their heart health while reducing risks of future heart issues through exercise, evaluations, education and counseling. And, the RWJUH Hamilton Healthy Lives Program is yet another key component of cardiac services that presents a unique approach to heart failure care. It is designed to educate and help improve quality of life for patients living with heart failure.
During the opening ceremonies, the RWJUH Hamilton Cardiac Catheterization Providers Lounge was dedicated in memory of Alan R. Zbik, MD, a beloved and compassionate physician, by his wife, Cynthia E. Vona, DDS, MD, Vice Chair, RWJUH Hamilton Board of Trustees. Dr. Zbik practiced Internal Medicine for more than 25 years and believed that excellent health care was a right that should be granted to all.
“We met at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and that is where he received his care when it was needed most,” said Dr. Vona. “In a full circle moment, the outstanding care he had rendered to his patients throughout his career came back to him. I am honored to be on the board at RWJUH Hamilton and so grateful to everyone here.”
No one plans on heart problems. But everyone should have a plan for them. Choose RWJUH Hamilton and enter a network that handles all aspects of cardiac health.
Learn more at Heart and Vascular Care or call 888-724-7123 to locate a provider near you.
About RWJUH Hamilton
Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, serves Mercer County as well as a larger five-county region of New Jersey. RWJBarnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton’s Cancer Center, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey – the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center – brings a world class team of researchers and specialists to its cancer center, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials. RWJUH Hamilton is Joint Commission Certified, Primary Stroke Center Certified from The Joint Commission, and a Center for Excellence from The Joint Commission for stroke, spine surgery and hip and knee replacement and is MAGNET® Recognized from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
RWJUH Hamilton’s other specialties include heart and vascular care, including emergency and elective angioplasty, heart failure intervention program, groundbreaking therapies and new surgical techniques with an innovative team of neurosurgeons, subspecialty neurologists, and neuroscience researchers coupled with the specialty-trained support staff, treatment and care for minor injuries and life-threatening illnesses, outpatient diagnostic and treatment services and medical/surgical services, bariatric surgery, wound care, women’s health, geriatrics/ senior health and wellness care, infusion services, outpatient rehabilitation and physical therapy centers, including cardiac rehab, orthopedic rehab, speech therapy, aquatic therapy, a balance and hearing center and sleep center.
Media Contact:
Sherry Smith
609-584-6583
sherry.smith2@rwjbh.org