Windsor, VT – Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC), a member of Dartmouth Health, has been re-certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR), recognizing MAHHC’s commitment to improving patients' quality of life by enhancing standards of care.
Working in small classes of up to four people, MAHHC’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program leads patients through a structured program that includes exercise, education, counseling and support for patients and their families, with the goal of helping patients recover faster and live healthier lives. MAHHC’s Cardiac Rehabilitation teams consist of a physician, a cardiac rehabilitation nurse, a dietitian and a therapeutic therapist.
“We’re deeply honored to be certified again by AACVPR for our cardiac rehab program,” said Belinda Needham-Shropshire, OT, MSPT, MBA, senior director of rehabilitation services at MAHHC. “It’s an important recognition of our team as leaders in cardiac rehabilitation, offering the most advanced practices available and a proven track record of high-quality patient care. This is a testament to their passion and dedication to provide a path to the best outcomes for our cardiac patients.”
The re-certification is valid for three years, following previous certifications by AACVPR in 2018 and 2021.
To earn accreditation, MAHHC’s 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 related professional societies. Each program’s application is reviewed by the AACVPR Program Certification Committee, and certification is awarded by the AACVPR Board of Directors.
About AACVPR: Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) is a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to the mission of reducing morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary disease through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and disease management. Central to the core mission is improving the quality of life for patients and their families. Learn more about AACVPR at www.aacvpr.org
About Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center
Founded in 1933, Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center (MAHHC) is a not-for-profit community hospital network in Vermont, including the critical access-designated Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Historic Homes of Runnemede, a senior residential care campus, in Windsor, as well as the Ottauquechee Health Center in Woodstock. A member of the Dartmouth Health system, MAHHC provides primary care and a comprehensive suite of specialty services, along with 25 inpatient beds, a therapeutic pool and an acclaimed, fully modernized 10-bed Acute Rehabilitation Center. Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center is dedicated to improving the lives of those it serves and is at the hub of a wide network of community resources that have partnered to cover gaps in services and improve overall population health. One of the largest employers in the area, MAHHC acknowledges its employees as its greatest asset and has been recognized by the Governor's Office with an Excellence in Worksite Wellness award.
Mt. Ascutney Hospital and Health Center is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF), is a recent recipient of Best Practice recognition by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) for health care quality, and is recognized by the American Hospital Association (AHA) as one of the "Most Wired" hospitals for integration of technology to boost clinical performance. The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has awarded MAHHC with Level 3 status, the highest level of medical home designation.