Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Community Healthcare - (Page 50)

SPOTLIGHT ON: ST. MARY MEDICAL CENTER BY MARY FETSCH Easy I f you suffer from cardiopulmonary disease, such as heart disease or pulmonary disorders, you know how important it is to work to build a healthier future. Patients with these conditions now have a unique resource for help, support and motivation with the addition of outpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation at St. Mary Medical Center. As one of the region’s only combined outpatient cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, St. Mary Medical Center’s outpatient cardiopulmonary rehabilitation blends exercise and education with counseling and constant monitoring to help individuals improve and maintain a healthier quality of life. Breat he St. Mary Medical Center o ers a unique resource for cardiopulmonary rehab “At many healthcare facilities, cardiac rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation are offered separately,” says Felix Gozo, M.D., medical director of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation at St. Mary Medical Center. “But most people with heart issues have pulmonary issues and vice versa. It makes sense to monitor and treat them together in a rehabilitative setting of excellence to ensure the optimal function of both.” WORKING TOGETHER Hobart resident Janet Hlas, 76, has noticed the beneﬁts of the dual care. Having suffered chronic obstructive pulmonary disease for the past 10 years, she has been hospitalized with breathing disorders and gone through the phases for pulmonary rehabilitation more than once before coming to St. Mary Medical Center. “At ﬁrst I didn’t want to be there,” says Hlas. “I didn’t want anyone telling me what I had to do or when I had to do it, but you know what? I’m addicted to breathing. So here I am.” Initially, Hlas tried to carry out her rehabilitation on her own by joining a health club. “I didn’t notice any real improvement,” she says. “They didn’t have the same equipment as they do here [at St. Mary Medical Center]. Here I have specialists monitoring my progress and it’s more enjoyable because everyone around me is in similar circumstances. It’s really motivating.” Cardiac rehabilitation nurse Bonnie Wildman, R.N., monitors Eugene Michalski during his therapy session. A BOUNTY OF BENEFITS Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation offers support and motivation in a variety of ways. Individuals beneﬁt from experienced cardiac and pulmonary nurses, respiratory therapists, exercise 50 Vim & Vigor · W I N TER 2 011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Community Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Community Healthcare
Contents
Community Message
Community Briefs
A Future of Lullabies and Good Nights
Exceeding Your Expectations
Back in Action
Supplementary Knowledge
Keys to Survival
Clearing the Air
Mark Harmon of NCIS fame makes 60 look good
This One’s for the Girls
Life After a Loss
Do Your Diabetes Homework
Healthy Returns
Beyond Blue
Spotlight on St. Mary Medical Center
Spotlight on Community Hospital
Spotlight on St. Catherine Hospital
Helping Families in Crisis
The Real Sims: Unleashed

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Community Healthcare