Vandalia Health’s Broaddus Hospital proudly celebrates the one-year anniversary of its cardiac rehabilitation program. Launched in 2023 under the medical direction of Dr. Pete Palko III, DO, the program was established to address the needs of local cardiac patients and has been well-received since its implementation.

Broaddus Hospital’s cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program designed to improve cardiovascular health following a heart attack, heart surgery or other heart-related conditions. The program combines exercise training, education and counseling to help patients rebuild their strength and confidence. Benefits of cardiac rehab include enhanced fitness, better symptom management, reduced anxiety and depression and an overall improved quality of life.

“When we began offering cardiac rehabilitation, we set out with modest goals, intending to start slowly with just a few patients,” said Haley Grogg, RRT, TTS, Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator at Broaddus Hospital. “However, it quickly became clear that this program was a greatly needed service in our area. The positive impact our program has made on our community has been remarkable.”

Before the program’s inception, Barbour County residents had to travel approximately 40 minutes two to three times per week to access cardiac rehabilitation services outside the county.

This presented significant barriers for patients already managing the challenges of heart disease.

“Being able to provide cardiac rehab locally has been transformative for our patients,” Grogg said. “We’ve seen them not only improve their physical health but also experience less anxiety and depression, which are common among those with cardiac conditions. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the difference this program is making.”

“I was really impressed with the program here in Philippi,” said Broaddus Hospital cardiac rehabilitation program graduate Michael Rexroad, of Philippi. “The staff made sure that I was able to complete all my exercises, and they monitored my blood pressure the entire time to make sure that I didn’t overexert myself. Hopefully I won’t need cardiac rehab again in the future, but if I do it’s good to know that I have this program close to home.”

Broaddus Hospital’s cardiac rehab program complements its well-established pulmonary rehab services, further expanding access to comprehensive care for chronic disease management close to home.

As the program moves into its second year, the hospital remains committed to helping patients on their journey to better heart health and improved quality of life.

“Our goal as a hospital is to provide accessible, quality care that meets the needs of our community,” said Dana Gould, Chief Administrative Officer for Broaddus Hospital. “Offering a local cardiac rehabilitation program allows patients to recover close to home, surrounded by their support systems, while receiving specialized care to improve their heart health. This program not only enhances individual outcomes but also strengthens the overall wellness of our community.”

For more information about cardiac rehabilitation at Vandalia Health’s Broaddus Hospital, visit DavisHealthSystem.org/locations/Broaddus-Hospital.