Advancing care close to home: Providence St. Joseph Hospital completes first remote pulmonary pressure monitor procedure
Advancing care close to home: Providence St. Joseph Hospital completes first remote pulmonary pressure monitor procedure for early heart failure intervention
EUREKA, CALIF. (July 24, 2025) — Thanks to cardiovascular and cardiopulmonary advancements at Providence St. Joseph Hospital, Humboldt County residents with heart failure can now receive “big city” care close to home.
St. Joseph Hospital recently implanted their very first Abbott’s CardioMEMS™ Heart Failure System, a remote pulmonary pressure monitor that is clinically proven to aid physicians in preventing worsening heart failure with early intervention using presymptomatic data.
According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), heart failure is the number one cause of hospital admission and responsible for fourteen percent of deaths nationwide. With telemedicine at the forefront of modern health care, the CardioMEMS HF System aids physicians in preventing worsening heart failure, lowers heart failure mortality rates and improves quality of life for patients.
Patients in rural counties like Humboldt often have to rely on hospitals in large cities for modern, top-of-the-line technology and treatments — but not anymore. Dr. Rajveer Sangera, interventional cardiologist and Dr. Tin Botzler, cardiologist are thrilled to offer this treatment to the community.
As for the first patient Bill Schaser, St. Joseph is right in his neighborhood. Bill, locally known as Mr. Schaser, long-time Eureka resident and beloved former Eureka High School teacher, received the implant just last month and was thrilled to see some of his former students working at the hospital.
"I was happy to have this procedure here in Eureka,” shares Mr. Schaser. "I'm a healthy 80-year-old, and I've always found the care to be excellent. Providence is doing a great job."
The local celebrity was recognized by passersby, hospital visitors and even St. Joseph caregivers. Mr. Schaser imparted his knowledge on the youth of Eureka, many of whom are now nurses and clinicians at St. Joseph. Mr. Schaser exclaims, “I have several students who are now working in the cardiology clinic. I'm thrilled!" He has since fully recovered, and his care team looks forward to seeing future improvement.
Providence Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital reported a 69 percent reduction in congestive heart failure readmissions when using this device and St. Joseph Hospital hopes to report similar results, in the near future.
“Being a community hospital means being more than just a place to receive care. It means being an extension of the culture and charm Eureka has to offer while elevating the level of care we provide,” shares Director of Cardiovascular and Cardiopulmonary Services Ashlie Wooden. “The use of advanced technology like the CardioMEMS HF System allows us to reduce heart failure readmissions and improve patient outcomes.”
About Providence in Humboldt County-
Providence is committed to meeting the highest standards in health care delivery while ministering to the needs of the whole person – body, mind and spirit. This commitment to the people of the North Coast is expressed in the Providence’s five core values –-Compassion, Dignity, Excellence, Justice and Integrity. -In Humboldt County, Providence operates St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka and Redwood Memorial Hospital in Fortuna and offers a comprehensive network of specialty care and services including a Level III Trauma Center, Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and a Cancer Center Accredited by the Commission on Cancer. -The health care ministry of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Orange began in Humboldt County during the flu epidemic of 1918. The Sisters opened the first St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka in 1920 and committed to continually improving the health and quality of life of the people served. This commitment continues today and has been further defined by the vision of Providence – Health for a Better World.-