Cardiac Rehab Program Receives Certification

Hopewell, VA --John Randolph Medical Center has been awarded Program Certification for its Cardiac Rehabilitation Program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). Certification recognizes those programs rigourously reviewed by a national board and found to meet the outlined essential requirements for standards of care.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs are designed to limit the physiological and psychological effects of cardiac illness; reduce the risk for sudden death or relapse; control cardiac symptoms, stabilize and/or improve the patient's condition; and enhance the patient's quality of life.

John Randolph's Cardiac Rehab program has been serving patients in this community since 1997. Manina Brittingham, CCS, BSN who has specialized certification as a Cardiac Rehab nurse and Robin Trueheart, a masters prepared Exercise Physiologist lead the program sessions. Staff members from Behavioral Health and Nutrition Services provide classes on Stress Management and Healthy Eating respectively. Clifford Morris, MD, a local cardiologist with Virginia Cardiovascular Associates is the Medical Director.

The focus of the program is to work with patients to achieve their goals and help integrate necessary changes into their lifestyle. Patients of all ages and walks of life have graduated successfully. Some continue exercising on their own while others attend the "Rehabit" program designed to transition patients from closely supervised exercise to independence.

The AACVPR is a national, multi-disciplinary association dedicated to the improvement of clinical practice, promotion of scientific inquiry, and advancement of education for the benefit of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation professionals and the patients they serve.

For more information on Cardiac Rehab services at John Randolph, please call 452-3273.

                                                                  ~ November 29, 2004