History & Mission
Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation is dedicated to our 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 improvement in quality of life for patients and their families.
Membership
AACVPR is a multidisciplinary professional association comprised of health professionals who serve in the field of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. Members include: cardiovascular and pulmonary physicians, nurses, exercise physiologists, physical therapists, behavioral scientists, respiratory therapists and nutritionists. We are committed to the continued professional development of our members through networking and educational opportunities. AACVPR currently has a membership of approximately 3000 health care professionals with the vast majority being cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation program directors and supervisors.
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Leadership
The success of AACVPR depends on the activities of a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors, a committed staff and over 20 volunteer committees.
The Board of Directors is the governing body for AACVPR and is responsible for developing the organization’s strategic plan and making fiscal and policy decisions that align AACVPR’s activities with its mission and vision and result in significant benefit to its members.
Committee leaders and members develop resources, organize and implement initiatives and keep a keen eye on policies resulting in exceptional educational opportunities, and resources important to the fulfillment of our mission and our members’ success.
Partners
AACVPR is proud to collaborate with a wide variety of professional partners and values the relationships built with other like-minded professional organizations. These partnerships allow AACVPR to broaden its scope, reach a more extensive audience, and provide connections that allow the greatest positive influence on program quality and patient outcomes.
State and Regional Affiliates
AACVPR is aligned with 42 active AACVPR Affiliates who provide local cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs with education and networking opportunities in their geographic areas and across the US (link to affiliates )
Professional Liaisons
AACVPR is proud to partner with a wide variety of professional organizations that share our Mission and Vision.
Collaboration with these organizations on a number of strategic initiatives has resulted in benefits to our members, improvement in program services and enhanced patient outcomes.
The following is a sample of current liaison activities:
- JCAHO Lung Volume Reduction Surgery Expert Panel
- JCAHO COPD Certification application process
- U.S. Cardiology Advisory Panel
- US COPD Coalition partner
- American Lung Association – COPD Campaign
- American Heart Association “Get with the Guidelines”
- ANCC Cardiac/Vascular Nurse Exam Review Course
- Peripheral Artery Disease Coalition and Vascular Disease Foundation
- Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist Exam Commission of the Committee on the Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
Corporate / Industry Support
AACVPR is grateful to our corporate and industry supporters. Their financial support assists in providing high quality educational opportunities and sustains special initiatives that otherwise might not be possible.
Publications and Resources
The AACVPR publishes a number of key documents dedicated to advancing the quality of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation and secondary prevention programs.
Key publications from AACVPR include:
- Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention(JCRP)
A bi-monthly peer-reviewed journal, official journal for AACVPR and the Canadian Association for Cardiac Rehabilitation (CACR)
- 4th Edition of Guidelines for Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs
- 3rd Edition of Guidelines for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs
- Cardiac Rehabilitation Resource Manual
- News and Views , a Bi-monthly electronic newsletter
- AACVPR continues to lead and participate in writing groups for guidelines, scientific reviews and publications in peer-reviewed journals. A more comprehensive list of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation resources can be viewed here.
Education
Annual Meeting
Each year, AACVPR hosts its Annual Meeting, providing members, leaders and Affiliate partners the opportunity to meet and learn current scientific information and state of the art program models for cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation. Over 1100 professionals attend the AACVPR Annual Meeting, which includes the Exhibit Showcase, keynotes and breakouts presented by industry thought leaders, and abstract presentations.
Distance Learning & Leadership Training
The AACVPR also provides members with educational opportunities through distance learning programs, including Webcasts and the content-rich AACVPR website.
For those new to the profession of cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation, or those seeking in-depth understanding on issues specific to program management, AACVPR provides a leadership workshop and other resources. Click here for more information on our Program Leadership In the New Era conference.
Health & Public Policy
AACVPR has an active Health & Public Policy Committee and a strong advocacy program with a dedicated government relations staff in Washington, D.C. AACVPR was instrumental in crafting the foundation of Senate bill S.329 and the House companion bill, HR 552. This Bill, passed after strong urging from AACVPR and our partner organizations, creates a specific benefit category in Medicare law for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation. AACVPR health policy staff and volunteers continue to work closely with CMS toward implementation of rules related to this Bill that will have significant implications for both clinical practice and fiscal sustainability in cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
AACVPR Program Certification
AACVPR sponsors a Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Certification process, the only peer-reviewed accreditation process designed to review individual facilities for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by the AACVPR and other professional societies.
Current Issues
National Outcomes Data Registry
This registry will allow cardiac rehabilitation programs to enter program information and patient outcomes into a web–based data registry. A participating program will be able to generate outcome reports for internal reporting and process improvement‚ produce benchmark comparisons‚ and have their outcome data automatically downloaded into their certification or recertification application
Innovation Award
Each year AACVPR grants the Innovation Award to a program that has enhanced their delivery of care for a patient population, in a unique and creative way, beyond the traditional model of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. By recognizing and highlighting examples of these innovative programs, it hopes to encourage other cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs to broaden and diversify their program services and expand both the scope of services provided and the patients serviced.
View previous award winners and apply today!