South Central Regional Medical Center Receives Accreditation for Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation

[Laurel, Miss] – South Central Regional Medical Center is proud to announce the certification of its cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). South Central Regional Medical Center 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 and pulmonary problems recover faster and improve their quality of life. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.

South Central’s cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of the program’s practices. 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 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.

The cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program is located at the South Central Wellness Center in Laurel. The program is offered under the direction of a team of physicians, a nurse and an exercise physiologist. The referral based service monitors patients who have a compromised health issue related to their heart or respiratory system. During the session, patients exercise on a treadmill or bicycle while being monitored through blood pressure, oxygen levels and heart rhythm statistics.

Exercise Physiologist, Ericka Gamble, explains, “Patients are referred by their specialist to cardiac rehabilitation to monitor activity levels and help them begin or return to an active lifestyle. Most patients attend three times a week for up to an hour. During that time, we provide personalized monitoring of their vitals. We work with each patient to develop a nutrition plan, exercise education and tips to stay active daily. There is a pre-test and post-test for each patient. The results achieved by patients are remarkable.”

Jack Evans, MD, Family Medicine physician, who serves as a physician supervisor for the program, believes the program changes lives. “Those who have experienced a cardiac or pulmonary event in their life have a lot of fear and uncertainty with resuming normal activities,” said Dr. Evans. “This program is a great place to start because each patient is monitored based on their needs and we help to modify their lifestyle. It is great to see the comradery among patients and how they encourage each other through the process.”

Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation offered at South Central’s Wellness and Rehabilitation Center in Laurel is a referral based program. This program is offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday each week from 6:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The program accepts most insurance plans. For more information, call 601-399-0530 or visit scrmc.com.

About AACVPR

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.

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 Certification is valid for three years.