UK HealthCare

UK HealthCare Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Certified By AACVPR

LEXINGTON, Ky. (April 24, 2013) - The UK HealthCare Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program has been certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The program was recognized for its commitment to improving the quality of life by enhancing standards of care.

Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with pulmonary problems (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – COPD, respiratory symptoms) recover faster and improve their quality of life. The program includes exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.

"This certification is a big accomplishment for our program," said Beth Cundiff, supervisor of the UK HealthCare Gill Heart Institute Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation program. "This affirms that we are headed in the right direction and following all standards of care necessary for this population. Currently, we are the only nationally accredited pulmonary rehabilitation program in Lexington. For participants in our program, we hope this gives them confidence in knowing that we will do as much as we can to help them live a more functional life with chronic respiratory disease."

The program participated in an application process that required extensive documentation of the program’s practices. AACVPR Program Certification is the only peer-reviewed accreditation process designed to review individual programs for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by AACVPR and other professional societies. Each program is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee and certification is awarded by the AACVPR board of directors.

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

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.

The staff includes: Jacob Stone, MS, EP; Nancky Kessler, RN;  Beth Cundiff, MS, EP; and Craig Staub, BS

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