CHRISTUS Health earns first national certification for cardiac rehab in Marshall

CHRISTUS Health in Marshall has earned its first certification from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) for its cardiac rehabilitation program, recognizing the hospital’s commitment to high-quality, integrated care and helping patients improve their quality of life following a cardiac event.

The three-year certification recognizes programs that uphold evidence-based practices and high standards of care for patients recovering from heart attacks, cardiac procedures and other cardiovascular conditions.

“Having access to high-quality cardiac rehabilitation close to home can make a tremendous difference in a patient’s recovery,” said Jennifer Ferrell, clinical director for cardiac rehab. “We want our patients to know they don’t have to travel far to receive the care they need to rebuild their strength and confidence after a cardiac event.”

Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program that helps patients recover following a heart attack, heart surgery or other heart-related health events. Through individualized exercise, education and ongoing support, patients learn ways to manage their cardiovascular health, build endurance and reduce their risk of future complications.

According to the National Institutes of Health, structured cardiac rehabilitation programs can reduce the risk of a second heart attack by up to 31% and repeat hospitalizations by up to 43%.

The certification requires programs to provide extensive documentation demonstrating their commitment to established standards and best practices. Applications are reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee, with certification awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.

The achievement represents an important milestone for CHRISTUS Health in Marshall and reinforces the hospital’s commitment to providing compassionate, reliable, high-quality cardiovascular care close to home.

“This is such a great thing for the Marshall community,” said Tatum Hasler, registered nurse for cardiac rehab. “It was a long process and a huge relief, but it is something we are very proud of, not just for our team and hospital, but what it means for our community."