The event is one of several planned in honor of the program's 20th anniversary. Current and former patients are being asked to send in their stories to be shared on a display at the event.

When St. John's opened Hammons Heart Institute, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation was somewhat of a new concept. Today, it has been clinically proven that cardiac and pulmonary rehab programs lower death rates, improve patient outcomes, lower costs and facilitate a larger number of people returning to productive lives.

The heart institute (HHI) opened as an integral component to St. John's nationally recognized heart program. About 3000 patients participate in program each year.

The flagship location on the St. John's Hospital campus in Springfield was funded in part by a donation from John Q. Hammons. Hammons suffered a mild heart attack in 1960 and has donated funds to St. John's in expanding heart services, including funds for the inpatient cardiac floor, then Hammons LifeLine helicopter and Hammons Heart Institute.

Throughout the 1990s, HHI expanded beyond the original location, with staff creating satellite programs in many other community hospitals. The idea to place these programs in rural or smaller hospitals was to provide the same services closer to patients' homes.

"Cardiac rehab is more than just a walk three times a week," explains Dr. Kelvin Van Osdol, St. John's cardiology chairman. "Many patients who've had very difficult cardiac surgeries and have had heart attacks have actually gained the most out of the cardiac rehab programs and are now back at work leading a more healthy and productive lifestyle."


Special Heart Month Events

Hammons Heart Institute 20th Anniversary Celebration
4 - 6 p.m.
Feb. 15, 2007
St. John's Hammons Heart Institute Auditorium
Heart-healthy cooking demos, a panel discussion with St. John's cardiologists and special recognition for former cardiac and pulmonary rehab patients.

Women's Heart Health Forum
6-8 p.m.
Feb. 20, 2007
St. John's Hammons Heart Institute

Free Cholesterol Screenings

St. John's Hammons Heart Institute, Springfield
6 - 9 a.m., Feb. 6, 2007
6 - 9 a.m., Feb. 7, 2007
6 - 9 a.m., Feb. 14, 2007
6 - 9 a.m., Feb. 16, 2007
6 - 9 a.m., Feb. 21, 2007
6 - 9 a.m., Feb. 27, 2007

St. John's Clinic - Nixa (940 W. Mt. Vernon Suite 100)
9 a.m. - noon, Feb. 6, 2007

St. John's Clinic - Republic (332 S. Main)
9 a.m. - noon, Feb. 13, 2007

St. John's Clinic - Ozark (1106 W. Jackson)
9 a.m. - noon, Feb. 19, 2007

St. John's Wellness on Tour bus will also offer free cholesterol screenings during the month of February. Please call 417-888-8888 or 1-800-909-TEAM to find the location nearest you.

17th Annual King and Queen of Hearts Celebration
5 p.m., Feb. 6, 2007
St. John's Hammons Heart Institute, Springfield
The annual ceremony recognizes cardiac patients and their support persons from throughout the cardiac rehabilitation network who have made the most significant lifestyle changes following a cardiac event.

St. John's Hammons Heart Institute programs
Multiple-phase cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation
New Images Weight Loss Program
Nutrition Center
Road to Freedom tobacco cessation program
Women's Heart Center
Congestive Heart Failure Management program
Complementary Services - including menopause

St. John's Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Network Locations
St. John's Hammons Heart Institute, Springfield
St. John's Clinic - West Kearney, Springfield
St. John's Hospital - Aurora
St. John's Hospital - Berryville
St. John's Hospital - Lebanon
St. John's Clinic - Monett
St. John's St. Francis Hospital, Mtn. View
St. John's Clinic - St. Robert
St. John's Hospital - Cassville
St. John's Clinic - Nixa
 

FOR MEDIA INFORMATION, CONTACT ST. JOHN’S MEDIA RELATIONS AT 417-820-2426 OR CSCOTT@SPRG.MERCY.NET.