Celebrating 10 Years of Mending Hearts
RWJ Hamilton's Cardiac Rehab Program Marks Anniversary By Providing Expert Care, Friendly Support

Demkowicz is not the trainer at some posh health club, and the people he meets are not carefree individuals who've signed up for a year's membership on a 2-for-1 special. Demkowicz holds the title of DPT, Doctor of Physical Therapy, and as manager of the Cardiac Rehabilitation program at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton, many of the people he greets daily have recently had a heart attack or other cardiac episode.

"People who come to our Cardiac Rehabilitation program are unique," Demkowicz says. "Many develop friendships because they've gone through similar experiences. We're there to support everyone and help them get back to their lives by building heart strength, endurance and a thirst for healthy lifestyles.

RWJ Hamilton's Cardiac Rehabilitation program recently celebrated 10 years of helping cardiac patients return to full, healthy lives. The program has thrived while providing patients with exercise and behavioral modification programs in a friendly, supportive atmosphere.

Sticking With Expert Cardiac Rehabilitation Makes the Difference For most cardiac patients, an initial course of rehabilitation lasts between 12 and 36 sessions. Cardiologists agree, however, that the benefits of sticking with a cardiac rehab program can last a lifetime.

"Our Cardiac Rehabilitation staff guides patients through their anxieties and fears as they return to an active lifestyle," says Dr. Mahmoud Ghusson, RWJ Hamilton's Chief of Staff and Medical Director of the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program. "The program instills patients with motivation and energy to continue doing the things they enjoy."

Before entering the cardiac rehabilitation program, all patients must have their condition thoroughly evaluated. Upon enrollment, individuals meet with a team including registered nurses and an exercise physiologist to discuss their needs. The staff then designs programs to meet the individual needs of each patient. Programs include recommendations on lifestyle changes and behavioral modification, as well as education on nutrition, stress management and reducing risk factors. Group discussions and instruction often center on the topics of medication, diet, blood pressure, exercise, weight control and smoking cessation.

Under the watchful eye of this team, patients take part in classes become accustomed to using treadmills, bicycles, and arm bikes to physically condition their heart. Each class typically has about 10 participants and lasts about one hour.

"A cardiac rehab program that helps keep people on pace with their exercises and lifestyle modifications is one of the keys to the long-term health of cardiac patients," says Dr. Ghusson. "Programs like the one at RWJ Hamilton help patients gain maximum benefits during their rehabilitation and momentum for continued success."

For more information on RWJ Hamilton's Cardiac Rehabilitation program, please call (609) 631-6884.

More About RWJ Hamilton
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJ Hamilton) is the only New Jersey hospital to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, the hospital is part of the RWJ Health System and Network and is affiliated with the University of Medicine and Dentistry New Jersey-RWJ Medical School and the Cancer Institute of New Jersey.

The RWJ Hamilton Health Care Corporation serves communities within a five-county area and includes an acute care hospital, the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Hamilton, three affiliated medical groups, seven Lakeview Child Centers, and the RWJ Hamilton Center for Health & Wellness, home of a medically-based fitness center and the hospital's extensive community education program. Over 1,900 hospital employees and 650 medical staff physicians share RWJ Hamilton's passion for Excellence Through Service. For more information, visit www.rwjhamilton.org.