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 the improvement of the quality of life for patients and their families.  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.  In addition we are aligned with 42 active AACVPR Affiliates who provide local programs with networking opportunities in their geographic areas and across the US.  The following is a brief summary of the scope of current and recent AACVPR activities and initiatives.

Programs and Publications
The AACVPR publishes the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and Prevention (JCRP) a bi-monthly peer-reviewed journal.  Other publications include:

• 4th Edition of Guidelines for Cardiac Rehabilitation Programs
• 3rd Edition of Guidelines for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs
• Cardiac Rehabilitation Resource Manual
• Program Certification process for cardiac and pulmonary facilities
• Bi-monthly electronic newsletter, News and Views

Scientific Statements and Clinical Guidelines with Liaison Organizations
During 2006 and 2007, AACVPR led or participated in writing groups for the following articles in peer-reviewed journals:

• Clinical Competencies Guidelines for Pulmonary Rehabilitation Professionals
• ACCF/AHA/ACP Clinical Competence Statement on Cardiovascular Prevention. 
• AACVPR/AHA/ACC Cardiac Rehabilitation Performance Measure Sets:  Cardiac Rehabilitation Sets for
• Referral to and Delivery of Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Services
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation: Joint ACCP/AACVPR Pulmonary Rehabilitation Guidelines
• AHA/AACVPR Core Components of Cardiac Rehabilitation - Secondary Prevention Programs
• Peripheral Arterial Disease Performance Measures
• ACC/AHA Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease Performance Measures

Education
AACVPR hosts an annual meeting, where members, leaders and Affiliate partners meet to learn the latest scientific information as well as new program models for cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.  Over 1100 professionals attend the AACVPR annual meeting, which includes an exhibitor showcase and abstract presentations.  The 2008 annual meeting will take place in Indianapolis in September 18-21, 2008. 

The AACVPR also provides members with educational opportunities through distance learning programs, including teleconferences and the content-rich AACVPR website.  We are developing a page in the member’s only section that will include links to appropriate sections of our liaison organization’s websites in order to enhance member’s access to additional information related to cardiovascular and pulmonary disease and rehabilitation, health care models, advocacy opportunities, and prevention.

Advocacy
AACVPR has an active advocacy program with a dedicated government relations staff in Washington, D.C.  AACVPR has been a leader in establishing Senate bill S.329 and the House companion bill, HR 552 to create a specific benefit category in Medicare law for cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.   That bill was signed into law in July, 2008.

AACVPR Program Certification
AACVPR sponsors a Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Certification process, which is the only peer-reviewed accreditation process designed to provide standards and guidelines for cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs.  This program is designed to review individual facilities for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by the AACVPR and other professional societies. 
 
Disease Management
In the last few years, the AACVPR identified and initiated a strategic initiative to explore the emerging trend of chronic disease management and to identify alternative models of service delivery related to cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation.  Current projects include educating our membership about the disease management model, providing members with innovative programming models,, developing performance measures for cardiac rehabilitation/secondary prevention, and developing a pilot national “registry” project to identify and track selected patient outcomes. 

International Activities
The AACVPR has an International Relations Committee and has partnered with a number of international organizations including, the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the European Association of Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation, (EACPR), the Canadian Association for Cardiac Rehabilitation (CACR) as well as a number of other international organizations. The JCRP is the official journal for both the CACR and our associations. We have established an annual speaker exchange with the EACPR that helps to enhance the quality of both associations’ annual meetings.

Professional Liaisons
AACVPR participates actively with a large number of professional liaison activities, related to strategic initiatives that benefit members and patients.  The following is a limited list of these 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)