STEPHENVILLE, Texas — Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Stephenville has once again earned certification for its Cardiovascular Rehabilitation program from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This marks the third consecutive time the hospital has achieved the national certification.

"We first earned this recognition in 2019, and here we are six years later, still offering Erath County residents high-quality cardiac rehabilitation. We’re truly humbled and appreciative that patients entrust us with their care,” said Claudia Eisenmann, MBA, FACHE, president of Texas Health Stephenville. “Earning this national achievement once again is a wonderful testament to the hard work of all involved, from every hospital employee, the nurses, the physical therapists, to the physicians on the medical staff.”

According to the American Heart Association, participation in cardiac rehab helps patients address behavioral, physical and psychological needs, yet less than 20% of cardiovascular patients participate. The American College of Cardiology determined one cause for low enrollment centers around limited access to cardiac rehab facilities, particularly in rural areas, with 71% of patients less likely to enroll if they lived more than 15 miles from a cardiac rehab program.

“Those concerning statistics emphasize why compassionate care, national guidelines and certifications are more than impressive results on paper," said Brandie Williams, M.D., a cardiologist on the Texas Health Stephenville medical staff and a member of Texas Health Heart & Vascular Specialists, a Texas Health Physicians Group practice*. “Cardiac rehab provides medically supervised exercise training, along with education for a heart-healthy lifestyle and stress reduction. This certification demonstrates Texas Health Stephenville is doing that and so much more for cardiovascular patients by supporting them in critical times during their recovery process.”

Christie Hershey, MBA, R.N., cardiac rehab supervisor for Texas Health Stephenville, agreed. Studies have found that participants can minimize risks of cardiovascular death by up to five years.

“By creating customized programs that focus on improving stamina and strength, we help individuals get back to their usual activities,” Hershey said.

To earn the accreditation, which is valid for three years, Texas Health Stephenville's cardiac rehab program participated in an application process that requires extensive documentation. Key performance measures include:

• Optimal blood pressure control
• Improvement in depression
• Tobacco cessation intervention
• Improvement in functional (physical) capacity

More than 30 hospitals in North Texas have earned AACVPR Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program Certification. Texas Health Resources also has facilities with AACVPR-certified cardiac rehab programs in Allen, Arlington, Burleson, Bedford, Dallas, Denton, Fort Worth, Plano, Rockwall and Willow Park.

*Physicians employed by Texas Health Physicians Group practice independently and are not employees or agents of Texas Health Resources hospitals.