SHARON - A Shenango Valley hospital and health system based out of Butler, Pennsylvania, are joining forces to enhance cardiovascular care for people around the Shenango and Mahoning Valleys.

According to a release, Sharon Regional Health System is partnering with Independence Health System to expand access to advanced heart and cardiovascular care.

The release states patients will benefit from enhanced clinical capabilities, expanded specialty services, and better access to cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons.

"Together, we will ensure that more individuals can receive advanced heart care close to home, supported by the combined expertise of our clinical teams," said Dr. Richard Begg, the medical director of cardiovascular service at Independence Health System.

Additionally, the release states the two health systems will work together to increase access to advanced diagnostic testing and interventional procedures, and introduce new clinical programs and subspecialty expertise, among others.

"Partnering with Independence Health System allows us to accelerate that mission by bringing additional clinical depth, new technologies, and access to leading cardiac care providers to our facility - removing the barrier of having to travel out of the community for care," said Todd Tamalunus, the interim CEO of Sharon Regional Health System.

Within Sharon Regional Medical Center, the catheterization lab in the cardiology department was expected to open in Oct. 2025; however, a delay pushed the opening date back to Jan. 2026. On Tuesday, Jan. 6, the catheterization lab officially began providing services to patients. 

For more information on cardiovascular services and other services at Sharon Regional Health System, click here or call 724-983-7200.