Lake Erie Regional Health System is proud to announce the certification of its cardiovascular rehabilitation program at Brooks Memorial Hospital by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pul-monary Rehabilitation. The department was recognized for its commitment to improving the quality of life 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, etc.) and pulmonary problems (e.g. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease COPD, respiratory symptoms, etc.) recover faster and improve their quality of life. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.

“Our cardiac rehab staff is committed to providing the highest standard of cardiac care to our community,” said Caroline J. Spoth, BA, RRT, Director of Cardiopulmonary Services at Brooks Memorial Hospital. “I am very proud of our knowledgeable, compassionate and kind staff in cardiac rehab. The work they do has a great impact on the successful transition of our patients back to a high quality of life after their cardiac event.” The director said the department has achieved AACVPR certification since 2004.

To achieve certification, Brooks Memorial Hospital’s Cardiovascular Rehabili-tation Program participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of the program’s practices. The 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 the AACVPR and other professional societies. Each program is reviewed by the AACVPR National Certifi-cation Committee and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.

AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available. AACVPR Program certifi-cation is valid for three years.