South Miami Hospital’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Earns Certification by American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR)

MIAMI, FL — November 5, 2018 – South Miami Hospital’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program has earned certification by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) for enhancing the quality of life for patients with pulmonary conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and other pulmonary problems. With its certification comes recognition that the program leads in its field and maintains the most advanced practices available.

“This certification is an important accomplishment for our staff,” said Rodney Benjamin, M.D., medical director of Pulmonary Rehabilitation at South Miami Hospital. “But beyond that, it means our patients, who suffer with chronic pulmonary and respiratory symptoms, are receiving the best possible care for their conditions and an enhanced quality of life.”

To earn the three-year certification, South Miami Hospital’s Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program underwent an extensive peer review of its practices and its patient outcomes to determine its adherence to AACVPR care standards and guidelines.

“Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program includes monitored exercises, patient education, counseling and support for our patients and their families,” said Mikki Thompson, director of Pulmonary Rehabilitation. “We’ve developed this program following the care guidelines that the AACVPR has established based on extensive research and evidence of improved patient outcomes. We’re happy to offer this level of care to our patients.”

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About South Miami Hospital
South Miami Hospital is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with 10 hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Bethesda Hospital East, Bethesda Hospital West, Doctors Hospital, Fishermen’s Community Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), more than 40 physician practices, 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence spanning across Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. A not-for-profit organization supported by philanthropy and committed to our faith-based charitable mission of medical excellence, Baptist Health has more than 19,500 employees and more than 3,000 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net/newsroom and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.

About AACVPR
Founded in 1985, the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation 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 improvement in quality of life for patients and their families.