Sometimes the cath lab crew gets to experience what it's like to be on the other side of the table.

When charge nurse Cary Bailey's grandmother had a heart attack in Pinckneyville, she was flown by helicopter to Memorial Hospital of Carbondale. Bailey, who is a registered nurse and cardiovascular invasive specialist, watched her grandma being wheeled in, feeling sick to her stomach.

"I was bawling and crying and got to watch the proceedings because I work here," Bailey recalls. "I couldn't be on the case, because she was family. But I was humbled by the miracle the team performed. Grandma's doing great now and is her independent self again."

Memorial Hospital of Carbondale has a STEMI (ST-elevation MI) program that serves the patients arriving at the hospital emergency room. In addition, the hospital also has a STAT heart program in place that serves eight rural-area hospitals, including Herrin hospital, St. Joseph Memorial hospital in Murphysboro, Harrisburg Medical Center, Franklin hospital in Benton, Pinckneyville hospital, Marshall Browning hospital in Du Quoin, Ferrell hospital in Eldorado and Union County hospital in Anna.

- Poornima Jayaraman