WVU Medicine St. Joseph’s Hospital is proud to announce that its cardiac rehabilitation program has again been certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This certification is a national recognition of the hospital’s commitment to providing high-quality patient care in cardiovascular rehabilitation.

The AACVPR program certification is awarded to programs that meet rigorous standards for comprehensive patient care, including evidence-based practices, individualized treatment plans and a focus on long-term heart health outcomes. The certification is valid for a three-year period and recognizes St. Joseph’s Hospital for its continued excellence and dedication to improving the lives of patients recovering from cardiac events and procedures.

Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Nursing Karla Tucker, BSN, CCRN, NE-BC, said, “This certification reflects the hard work, dedication, and clinical excellence of our cardiac rehabilitation team. Special thanks go to Annie Thorne, RN, in our Cardiac Rehab department, for her outstanding efforts in leading this achievement. Her dedication played a key role in helping our program meet the highest national standards.”

The certification process involves a thorough review of program documentation to ensure compliance with industry standards and best practices. Certified programs are required to maintain these standards throughout the certification period, including the completion of annual reports and ongoing quality assurance.

Cardiac rehabilitation at St. Joseph’s Hospital offers medically supervised exercise, education and counseling designed to help patients recover and improve their cardiovascular health after events such as heart attacks, angioplasty or heart surgery.

The AACVPR is a multidisciplinary professional association dedicated to the advancement of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation. Its certification is considered the gold standard for rehabilitation programs nationwide.