AFFILIATE >> PERSPECTIVES Advocacy in CR/PR is identifying issues that should be addressed within our programs and our profession. our Affiliate's concerns for issues related to CR and PR. How do you advocate for your patients? Staff? LM: Through lots of work. There are tremendous opportunities for advocacy for our patients. In our small program, advocacy happens every day. Through tracking participant outcomes and participating in continuing education opportunities, we are able to follow best practice and improve our program. Then we are able to track our program's outcomes and participate in other continuing education opportunities. These are compiled to give us backbone for discussions at the administrative level. Lastly, we pay membership fees to the state and national organizations, which allows these larger organizations the opportunity and means to lobby on behalf of our programs. WQ: [We] help them work toward a solution for whatever problems/ issues they are facing. We can do a lot to advocate and help, but teaching self-management strategies is the most important. MS: Our Board has encouraged program directors to form relationships with their hospital administration. We feel this is key to making sure our programs continue to be relevant and impactful. Establishing open communication with the leaders in your organization and sharing your program metrics can help in keeping your program on the map. Calendar of Events Membership Renewals July 1, 2017 aacvpr.org 32nd Annual Meeting October 4-7, 2017 Charleston, SC 16 News&Views MAY/JUNE 2017http://www.aacvpr.org