The Cardiac Fitness Center at Dignity Health – Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center announced the certification of its cardiac rehabilitation program by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). Glendale Memorial Hospital is the only hospital in Glendale, Pasadena or Burbank to be 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 problems (e.g., heart attacks, coronary artery bypass graft surgery) and pulmonary problems (e.g., chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], respiratory symptoms) recover faster and improve their quality of life. Both programs include exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families.

“It is a tremendous privilege to be able to provide high quality programs and services, like those offered in our Cardiac Fitness Center, to the people we serve,” said hospital President Jill Welton.

The Cardiac Fitness Center’s cardiac 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.

AACVPR-certified programs are recognized as leaders in the field of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation because they offer the most advanced practices available.

“I am proud of the dedication of the Cardiac Fitness Center employees’ leadership and associated physicians for improving the health and wellness of our community and honored to receive this certification from the AACVPR,” said Welton.