Physical Therapy and Cardiac Rehab Celebrate Grand Openings at UMH
Marking a new era in patient care, Miller School and UHealth leaders, faculty and staff recently celebrated the grand openings of the refurbished and expanded Physical Therapy facility and new Cardiac Rehabilitation Program at University of Miami Hospital.
Housed in renovated, state-of-the art suites on UMH’s first floor, the new or vastly improved services are shining examples of UHealth’s commitment to patient-centered growth. As William O’Neill, M.D., executive dean for clinical affairs at the Miller School and chief medical officer of UHealth, noted, the hospital’s facilities are catching up to the skill and compassion of its caregivers.
“Now we’re matching the infrastructure with the people we have working here. This is really wonderful for the patient,’’ O’Neill told the festive crowd at the August 10 celebration that spanned both suites. “This is really a dream come true for all of us and … a milestone in the journey toward a world-class hospital that this community deserves.’’
Dean Pascal J. Goldschmidt, M.D., who also serves as chief executive officer of UHealth, congratulated Sherrill H. Hayes, Ph.D., PT, professor and chair of physical therapy, for adding a substantial and growing clinical component to her department, which has ranked among the top academic programs in the U.S. for the past 16 years. Among the new clinical programs available at UMH are sports physical therapy and vestibular, lymphedema and women’s health/pelvic floor rehabilitation.
“The great thing that we can do when services are doing so well is to provide them with the best possible space,’’ Dean Goldschmidt said. “It’s well-deserved.’’
Hayes, saying she is proud of the department’s excellence and blessed “with the best team in the world,” singled out Teresa K. Glynn, DPT, associate chair of clinical services and physical therapy, for directing the department’s expansion, not only at UMH, but in coming months to satellites in Kendall, Plantation, Hialeah and Coral Gables.
“We’re here … and wherever we might be needed, and where we can expand to meet patient needs,’’ Hayes said.
The Dean also offered his congratulations for the “phenomenal” cardiac rehabilitation program to Medical Director Melissa Tracy, M.D., assistant professor of clinical medicine, who began planning the program soon after joining the UM faculty more than three years ago.
“I am honored to finally get to say I am truly the medical director of the UMH cardiac rehabilitation. This is pivotal,’’ said Tracy, who is also medical director of the ECHO Lab. “Cardiac rehabilitation has now become a core measure specifically for patients with coronary disease after a myocardial infarction. However, patients with stable angina, recent cardiac intervention, and patients post coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), valvular replacement/repair, and heart transplants also have qualifying diagnoses for cardiac rehab and benefit substantially from this intervention.’’
The cardiac rehab program provides customized and comprehensive services, including exercise training, nutritional counseling, smoking cessation and emotional and psychological support, to patients recovering from a major cardiac event or procedure.
Hayes and Tracy also thanked UMH CEO Anthony Degina, Michelle Chulick, associate vice president and COO for the hospital division, the construction staff and other UHealth leaders for their assistance and support.
