Penn Highlands Huntingdon Receives Recertification of its Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program
Penn Highlands Huntingdon received recertification of its Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This three-year certification is recognition of the hospital’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care. 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.
Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks, coronary artery bypass surgery, and pulmonary problems including but not limited to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and respiratory symptoms recover faster and live healthier. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.
To earn accreditation, Penn Highlands Huntingdon participated in an application process that required extensive documentation of the program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-review accreditation process designed to evaluate 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 offer comprehensive individualized programs for our patients that include exercise, education, counseling and support,” said Denise Sheffield, Service Line Leader of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at Penn Highlands Healthcare. “Our programs help patients build strength, increase energy and endurance and reduce shortness of breath.”
She continued, “We have great leadership with Dr. Michael Sabatini serving as the Medical Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation and Dr. Margaret Hallahan overseeing Pulmonary Rehabilitation here at Penn Highlands Huntingdon.”
The Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at Penn Highlands Huntingdon is located at 1225 Warm Springs Avenue, Huntingdon PA. For more information about pulmonary rehabilitation, visit www.phhealthcare.org/pulmonaryrehab. To learn more about cardiac rehabilitation, visit www.phhealthcare.org/cardiacrehab.
Staff from Penn Highlands Huntingdon shown holding the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation certificates are (l. to r.) Angela Guyer, MSN, RN, ASC-BC, Director of Nursing; Kerri Campbell, RN, Cardiopulmonary Rehab; cardiologist Michael Sabatini, MD; hospitalist and palliative care physician Margaret Hallahan, DO, FACOI, HMCD; Denise Sheffield, RN, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Service Line Leader; and Hannah Kerstetter, BSN, RN, CCRN, Cardiac Cath Lab Supervisor.