This spring, the Department of Rehabilitation Therapies’ Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, led by Jeff Wilson, MD, medical director and clinical professor in Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Occupational Medicine, was given the first-ever Distinguished Program of the Year award by the Iowa Association of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation (IACPR). Part of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, IACPR is a regional organization dedicated to providing education and improving communication among cardiovascular and pulmonary health care professionals.

The award was created “to acknowledge a program in Iowa that has made significant contributions to the provision of Cardiac and/or Pulmonary Rehabilitation.”

Julie Wiebold, MSN, CPL, clinical practice leader for pulmonary rehabilitation, wrote a letter of support for the group’s nomination, citing the program’s focus on tailoring rehabilitation to each patient’s physical, mental, and emotional needs and abilities.

In addition to illuminating several other ways the team excels in support of excellent patient care, Wiebold said, “The Pulmonary Rehab staff is a dream team! … Patients never fail to comment on the staff members’ professionalism and competency, kindness and caring attitudes, friendliness and helpfulness, and the educational opportunities and knowledge of the staff.”

The team not only offers patient education, Wiebold explained, but also ongoing education of staff, Carver College of Medicine learners, and community partners. They also host intern students from Kirkwood Community College’s programs.

Wilson also supported the successful nomination, pointing to the history of the program as a feather in UI Health Care’s cap.

“Since its inception in 1993, our program has served as a resource for programs throughout the state of Iowa,” Wilson said. “Our program prides itself on highly individualized physical training and educational plans—to maximally benefit each person. Our outcome measurements and patient satisfaction surveys have been uniformly outstanding. As the medical director of our program, I am the first to admit that my job is quite easy—because of the caring and competence of our staff. All my patients rave about their experience in our program.”