CHESTER – Memorial Hospital’s Cardiac Pulmonary Rehab Center will be opening May 1, 2024 and is currently enrolling patients. Rehabilitation programs at the center will provide comprehensive care to patients with heart and lung conditions. Through the program, individuals are given a structured program that includes education, counseling, and exercise to strengthen their lungs and heart. Participants in the program have access to various tools and a full support system to help them recover.
Memorial Hospital completes a Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) every five years through the Illinois Critical Access Hospital Network (ICAN). Through this community evaluation, it aids Memorial in identifying healthcare needs, disparities, and health trends in our rural service area.
In our region there are over 500 people who are being treated for pulmonary or cardiac diagnoses that could benefit from rehab services. 276 with some cardiovascular disease and 271 with some form of pulmonary disease.
“Each year these numbers continue to grow,” explains Susan Diddlebock, Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial. “These patients are at higher risk for ER visits, admissions to the hospital, and re-admissions to the hospital. By providing cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services at Memorial Hospital, this program will allow patients to receive the care they need where they are. They will no longer have to make frequent trips over longer distances to access quality care. By participating in Memorial’s new rehab program, they can work on meeting their wellness goals with a skilled team of professionals just a few minutes from home.”
Brett Bollmann, CEO; Susan Diddlebock, CNO; Kelly Jany, MSU Nurse Manager; Greg Crain, Board Member; Melissa Soellner, RDN & Exercise Physiologist; Amy Mathis, Rehab Nurse Supervisor; Casey Parker, Board and Chamber Member; David Randall, Chamber Member.
A ribbon cutting and staff open house was recently held for the new rehabilitation center. The newly renovated department is on the lower level of the main hospital. The state-of-the-art facility features top-of-the-line exercise and weight training equipment with space for group sessions.
Under the supervision of Dr. John Groll, Cardiologist Specialist at Memorial, each patron has a complete team of professionals – trained registered nursing staff, a dietitian nutritionist, exercise physiologist, respiratory therapist, pharmacist, and social worker – supervising them through the program and helping them to reach their recovery goals. The professional rehab staff monitor all exercise sessions to ensure safety and progress.
Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services are usually covered by Medicare and most insurance plans for heart and lung conditions. A physician’s prescription is required to enroll in the rehab program. The staff work with the patient and their physician to determine the most appropriate plan for their individual needs. To learn more, contact the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Center at 618-826-4581 ext. 1151 or visit the website at www.mhchester.com/cprehab.