Rock Island Today

Hammond-Henry Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab Department is marking its 25th anniversary with an open house event on November 18 from 2 to 4 pm in the hospital dining room in Geneseo. The event will feature guided tours of the department, opportunities to meet past and present staff, and light refreshments. All community members are invited to attend.

The department is encouraging former and current patients to participate by sharing their experiences ahead of the celebration. Story cards can be filled out at the Cardiac Rehab desk, and these stories will be displayed on a dedicated story wall during the event.

Brandi Catton, CRT, RCP, who supervises Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation as well as the Sleep Lab at Hammond-Henry Hospital, emphasized the importance of patient relationships. “Our patients are always part of our Cardiac Rehab family, and we would love to see past and present patients and their families at our celebration. We would also love to see community members who have an interest in our program,” said Catton. “We are so grateful for the community support that started our program 25 years ago and those who support it today.”

Catton highlighted the focus on supporting patients through challenging times following cardiac events. “There are often anxious feelings associated with cardiac events that lead patients to our program. We work closely with our medical directors and the referring provider to support the patient through a difficult time,” she said. “Besides monitoring patients during exercise, our experienced team also concentrates on education to help patients better manage their cardiac risk factors and help them feel more confident in advocating for themselves. We want patients in our program to feel heard. We want them to know we are on this journey with them, and we care about their outcomes.”

The Cardiac Rehab Department is located on the hospital’s second floor next to Physical Therapy, which allows for interdisciplinary collaboration among staff. Catton noted recent improvements: “Our patients benefit greatly from the many service lines that our Rehab Department offers. With the expanded space, we have been able to add multiple pieces of equipment,” she said. “In 2023, we upgraded our Cardiac Rehab system. Some of the advancements included continuous pulse oximetry monitoring when needed, electronic signatures capability for our staff and medical directors, and the most up-to-date software available to allow us to monitor up to 10 patients at one time.”

Catton credited much of these upgrades to fundraising efforts by both hospital organizations and donors: “Our community has supported our program, and much of our upgrades are due to funds raised by the Hammond-Henry Foundation and Auxiliary and by generous donations from patients and their families,” she added.

The open house will also include heart-healthy treats prepared by HHH Dietitian Marcia Wirth along with recipes for attendees.

Former cardiac rehab participants attending will receive a special sticker at the event. For additional information about attending or participating in this milestone celebration, interested individuals can call 309.944.9169 or 309.944.9153.

Hammond-Henry Hospital is located at 600 N. College Avenue in Geneseo.