Cholesterol

The lab allows a doctor to surgically place a catheter with a camera connected to it near the patient's heart to look for blockages.

"The cath lab is not in operation right now," Zaharko said.

"When we get an invasive cardiologist it will reopen and that could be as soon as May 7." San Juan Regional Medical Center is actively interviewing and recruiting cardiologists to this area, hospital officials said.

Khouzam said his office also is searching for doctors.

"We had a cardiologist interview two weeks ago.

She seems interested," he said, adding another doctor will interview for a job this weekend.

Khouzam believes Farmington is a good sell to doctors.

He declined five other job offers in June 2006 and chose to come here.

"It is a very nice place for a family," he said.

"I really like the hospital.

It is one of the best I have worked in.

I like the staff.

I like the community.

I like the patients." He simply feels it is "unfortunate" that hospital bylaws keep him from working at the facility.

"I am very willing to go back, but I had to focus on one place, the office," he said, adding he is willing to "accommodate and coordinate" with San Juan Regional and other doctors.

"There is no competition here.

We just need manpower," Khouzam said.

San Juan County's only other cardiologist is Gonzalo Loveday,...

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