In early 2025, the Jim and CK Coles Foundation fulfilled their initial pledge of over one million dollars towards the William James Coles Structural Heart Hybrid Surgical Suite at Logan Health Medical Center. The pledge, initiated in 2016, served as the catalyst for expanding Logan Health’s heart program, significantly strengthening cardiac care in the Flathead Valley.
The suite, which was dedicated in October 2016, stands as a tribute to Jim Coles’ late father, William James Coles, who passed away in 1947 from heart valve complications at just 29 years old. At the time, his condition was considered inoperable—something that, today, might have been treatable with advanced procedures like those now performed in the very suite that bears his name. Driven by a desire to change that outcome for others, Jim Coles—a longtime philanthropist and advocate for advancing health care in the Flathead Valley—has made significant contributions through his foundation to support life-saving care for patients facing similar diagnoses. A Flathead Valley resident for over 25 years, Coles has remained committed to enhancing the availability of high-quality health care close to home.
“The people of northwest Montana deserve access to top-notch health care,” said Jim Coles. “We wanted to help create a center that not only provides exceptional care but also puts this hospital—and this region—on the map. It’s incredible to see how far the program has come since the original pledge, with an expanded cardiac program and life-saving treatments that weren’t available here before.”
The William James Coles Structural Heart Hybrid Surgical Suite supports a wide range of procedures, including mitral valve repairs, transcatheter mitral valve replacements, paravalvular leak closures, and complex vascular surgeries. It is also equipped to handle advanced bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) procedures and can serve as a backup lab for electrophysiology and catheterization.
Logan Health performs 500th TAVR Surgery
Since its opening in 2016, the Hybrid Surgical Suite has transformed cardiac care for patients requiring advanced procedures. In early 2025, the cardiac team conducted their 500th TAVR surgery, a minimally invasive procedure that replaces a narrowed aortic valve without the need for open-heart surgery. They’ve also performed over 60 mitral edge-to-edge repairs, 15 transcatheter mitral valve replacements, and the first LAMPOON procedure in Montana—a specialized technique that reduces the risk of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction during transcatheter mitral valve replacement.
“The Structural Heart Hybrid Surgical Suite has made life-saving structural heart interventions a reality for northwest Montana, solidifying Logan Health as a trusted partner for comprehensive cardiac care,” said Joshua Vogt, MD, structural and interventional cardiologist with Logan Health Heart & Lung.
With a spacious 1,768 square feet, the suite is approximately 38% larger than the traditional catheterization lab and features state-of-the-art equipment, including mobile robotic fluoroscopy and cardiopulmonary bypass capabilities. The hybrid nature of the suite allows for open surgical backup if needed during complex transcatheter procedures.
“The generosity of the Jim and CK Coles Foundation has revolutionized cardiac care at Logan Health Medical Center,” said Kevin Abel, CEO of Logan Health. “Their commitment has enabled us to expand our heart program and provide life-saving treatments to countless patients in northwest Montana. The impact on our ability to deliver advanced cardiac care has been profound.”
Comparable facilities are hundreds of miles away in Missoula or Spokane, making this suite a cornerstone of care for the Flathead Valley, Libby, Eureka, Ronan and the Hi-Line regions, as well as select areas within the Logan Health outreach service areas.
Logan Health is committed to raising the standard of cardiac care, with the suite’s advanced technology paving the way for new and innovative treatments. Through the support of donors like Jim and CK Coles and the commitment of health care professionals, Logan Health continues to push the boundaries of cardiac care, using the suite’s state-of-the-art technology and the ongoing support of the community.
