Riverview Regional Jump Starts Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program with Open House and Ribbon Cutting

Riverview Regional Medical Center (RRMC) hosted an open house and ribbon cutting to celebrate the newly established Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. Community members, local businesses, the Smith County Chamber of Commerce and RRMC team members were invited to learn about program offerings, see new equipment, and celebrate the new service that will help patients breathe easier.

Designed for people with chronic lung diseases, this program is a medically supervised, progressive exercise and education program for individuals with breathing problems and lung disorders. The purpose of the program is to help patients overcome the fear of being short of breath and restore the highest possible functional capacity.

“Pulmonary rehabilitation will be a team of respiratory therapists helping patients by addressing their underlying lung diseases such as emphysema, COPD, asthma and post-covid respiratory problems, by working on not only prevention but treatment of these respiratory illnesses,” said Lauren L. Cooper, DO, Medical Director of Pulmonary Rehabilitation and physician at Carthage Family Wellness. “As a physician, I am so excited to work with the respiratory team so that we can provide a better quality of life for our patients and also keep them local in the community instead of having to send them outside of the county for these services.”

Patients will receive education about chronic lung disease and self-management of the symptoms that accompany breathing problems. They will be guided through physical conditioning to allow for a more active lifestyle. Patients will also be trained on breathing techniques, energy conservation, stress reduction, nutrition, and the use of prescribed respiratory care equipment and medications.

“Every patient is different whether they struggle to breathe walking to their mailbox, getting groceries, or making lunch, so it’s very important that we individualize treatment plans so that patients are able to better take care of themselves during daily living activities,” said Jill Coley, Director of Respiratory Services. “My team has worked extremely hard and supported me through the process of launching this program and we are excited to now be able to offer pulmonary rehabilitation to the patients of Smith County.”

Education, physical conditioning, and training take place during one-hour sessions either two or three days a week, over a 12-to-18-week period. Each patient has a team of experienced healthcare professionals on their side, including a primary care provider, respiratory therapists, and dietician.

The goal for each patient is to return them to the highest possible level of independent living. To learn more about the Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program at RRMC, visit our Pulmonary Rehabilitation page.