The American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) has certified SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab programs. This certification is recognition of Ripon Community Hospital’s commitment to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing standards of care.

Cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation programs are designed to help people with cardiovascular concerns (heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and pulmonary issues (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, respiratory symptoms) recover faster and live healthier. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling, and support for patients and their families.

“Our programs excel because we take an individualized approach with each of our patients,” according to Joseph Clayton, CEP, CCRP, a clinical exercise physiologist and Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab coordinator with Ripon Community Hospital.

“We stay up to date on the best clinical practices for our patients and create unique treatment plans that help to push patients toward their specific goals,” Clayton says. “Our team has created an environment where patients can not only learn to exercise, but where they can connect with other patients and feel encouraged to making healthy changes that will improve their quality of life.”

Ripon Community Hospital’s Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab programs are comprised of three clinical exercise physiologists, including Natalie Bartz, Joseph Clayton, and Lexi Voss.

To earn accreditation, the Ripon Community Hospital Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab programs participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation of their 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 related professional societies. Each program’s application is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee, and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.

In 2018, AACVPR moved to an outcomes-based process with performance measurements that represent more meaningful outcomes. Therefore, AACVPR-certified programs are leaders in the cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation field because they offer the most advanced practices available and have proven track records of high-quality patient care. AACVPR Program Certification is valid for three years.

The SSM Health Ripon Community Hospital Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab programs were recently certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The program features the services of three clinical exercise physiologists, including Lexi Voss, Joseph Clayton, and Natalie Bartz.