Members of Wheeling Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program team include: front, from left: Modesto Araujo, MD; Melissa Michael, exercise physiologist; Jennifer Kutrovac, exercise physiologist and diabetes educator; and Rene Copeland, RN. Back, from left, are: Cindy Whitelatch, RN; Jennifer Matesic, respiratory therapist, Ami Blanton, RN, CCRP; and Cindy Gallentine, exercise physiologist. Not pictured is Megan Hafer, respiratory therapist.
The WVU Medicine Wheeling Hospital Cardiovascular/Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program has been certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification is recognition of Wheeling Hospital’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.
Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and pulmonary problems (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], respiratory symptoms) recover faster and live healthier. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.
Members of the Rehabilitation Program team include: Modesto Araujo, MD; Melissa Michael, exercise physiologist; Jennifer Kutrovac, exercise physiologist and diabetes educator; Rene Copeland, RN Cindy Whitelatch, RN; Jennifer Matesic, respiratory therapist; Ami Blanton, RN, CCRP; Cindy Gallentine, exercise physiologist; and Megan Hafer, respiratory therapist.
Blanton said, “I am very proud to work with such a talented and knowledgeable team that includes an on-site physician, registered nurses, exercise physiologists, and respiratory therapists. Our structured and goal-oriented program allows our patients to become empowered and take charge of their own cardiac health.”
To earn accreditation, the program participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of the program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other related professional societies. Each program’s application is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee, and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.
In 2018, AACVPR moved to an outcomes-based process with performance measurements that represent more meaningful outcomes. Therefore, AACVPR-certified programs are leaders in the cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation field because they offer the most advanced practices available and have proven track records of high quality patient care. AACVPR Program Certification is valid for three years.