SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program has been received certification by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification recognizes SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.

Cardiac rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular concerns (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) recover faster and live healthier. Cardiac rehabilitation programs include exercise, education, counseling, and support for patients and their families.

SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital team members include Thorne Wittstruck, BS, RCEP, CCRP, clinical exercise physiologist; Angela Haan, RN; Liz Greenwood, RN; Christal Bruesch, RRT; Lauren Winchell, RN; Sara Westra, RN; and Devan Nehls, RN.

To earn accreditation, the SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation 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.

“We are so fortunate to have a dedicated and caring Cardiac Rehabilitation team at Waupun Memorial Hospital,” according to Emily Kosterman, RN, BSN, SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital Emergency Room, Cardiopulmonary Services and Cardiac Rehab manager. “We are grateful for their hard work and dedication to our program and patients. We hear from our patients that they appreciate our team in so many ways – encouraging them to follow a healthy regimen and practice self-care, helping to improve their walking and strength, and always doing so with kindness and compassion.”

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.

SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital team members, including Angela Haan, registered nurse, and Thorne Wittstruck, clinical exercise physiologist, are among Cardiac Rehabilitation Program team members celebrating their program’s certification by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR).

About AACVPR
Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improvement in quality of life for patients and their families.

About SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation
Recovering from a heart condition or heart surgery takes time, commitment, and a team of health professionals who can provide guidance and support in every aspect of a patient’s recovery. The SSM Health Waupun Memorial Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is designed to help patients recover faster and return to a full, productive life. Our team will develop a personalized treatment plan that may include exercise counseling and training, nutrition education, stress management tips, heart-healthy lifestyle coaching, and tobacco cessation resources.