This year the IACPR is honoring Kim Eppen for her amazing contributions to this association.

From Janie Knipper:

Kim Eppen is an extremely valuable asset to Pulmonary Rehab, IACPR, & AACVPR; but most of all to the patients who had the opportunity to work with Kim. Kim's positive approach to patients and their significant others, and her use of health coaching made a tremendous impact on their lives, helping them to see the changes that are needed to be made to live a better life. Kim's ability to teach the science of exercise in an understandable and practical way helped all of us as staff become better practitioners. I was truly blessed to have had the opportunity to work so closely with Kim & learn from her for so many years!

 Eric Larson:

Kim has been a huge asset to the organization, not only with her experience in the field and willingness to share that through presentations and publications, but also her overall love of the field. She is passionate in what she teaches, and that passion is seen by all. She has been an active member for years and has presented multiple times at both the national and state level. 

Brandy Tripp:

Kim was created to do good work, to empower & inspire. She has worked in Pulmonary Rehab for 26 years and her passion for what we do is contagious. She has held academic positions throughout her entire career and is committed to challenging herself and to continued learning. She is invested in challenging herself, her colleagues in the field, the future of our field, and most importantly our patients. Kim's clinical experience, knowledge, passion, & willingness to share in the service of others is unmatched. 

Kim Eppen PT, PhD, FAACVPR is the Distinguished Member of the Year.

Eric Larson(L) now IACPR president-elect, Kim Eppen (C),

and Brandy Tripp (R) IACPR president.

This year the IACPR leadership chose to create a new award to acknowledge a program, in Iowa, that has made significant contributions to the provision of Cardiac and/or Pulmonary Rehabilitation by recognizing them as the "IACPR Distinguished Program of the Year"

Congratulations to the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program at the UI Health Care Medical Center, which is the 2024 IACPR Distinguished Program of the Year.

Please read the following link to see the contributions of this program.

IACPR Distinguished Program of the Year.docx

The fall newsletter is now available.  Take a peak to see what opportunities are available for members. Click the link below.

IACPR Fall 2023 Newsletter.docx

At the spring conference, Susan Flack was honored as the Distinguished Member of the Year. The following is the nomination provided by Eric Larson and Brandy Tripp.

IACPR 2023 Distinguished Member of the Year

Susan Flack

IACPR would like each year to acknowledge an individual who has made significant contributions to the state affiliate society by recognizing them as the ‘IACPR Distinguished Member of the Year’.

The Distinguished Member Award symbolizes exactly everything that this years recipient is…a mentor, a leader, a workhorse and a friend.  I personally, along with several others had the great pleasure of nominating and now awarding, Susan Flack of UnityPoint with this years Distinguished Member Award for 2023.  She has been with the organization for many years and has worn many hats, but nothing more fitting then the current hat she wears not just for IACPR, but AACVPR as well, which is the AACVPR J5 MAC Task Liaison.  She recently got back from DC where she once again attended ‘Day on the Hill’, where she was able to meet with several Iowa representatives, to help in getting our voice heard.  Also in the past year, Susan had the distinct honor of being recognized as a Fellow by AACVPR, a very prestigious and much deserved honor.  So with much appreciation and much gratitude, I present Susan Flack with this years ‘Distinguished Member of the Year’ award

Please click the following link to view the fall newsletter!

IACPR Fall 2022 Newsletter.docx

Please click the link below to view the IACPR fall newsletter.

IACPR Newsletter Fall 2020 copy.pdf

Update on AACVPR Day on the Hill 2020 and IACPR Call to Action

Submitted by Susan Flack, Reimbursement/Legislative Committee Chair

Jan 27, 2020

Deb Anderson and Susan Flack will be representing IACPR as they attend AACVPR’s Day on the Hill (DOTH) Mar 2-4, 2020. The focus of our visits:

• ·         In the House of Representatives: Gain support for H.R.4838 – SOS: Sustaining Outpatient Services Act. A section in the 2015 Budget Act directs a decrease in payment for outpatient programs that choose to expand or relocate away from a hospital campus. This creates a strong disincentive for hospitals to improve patient access at a time when Medicare is encouraging increased participation in our services. H.R.4838 would exempt certain hospital outpatient services (including cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation) from these payment reductions.
• ·         In the Senate: We will inform our Senators of the House Bill, and garner support for a companion bill, expected to be introduced soon in the Senate. Senator Grassley is Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. In past DOTH appointments we have built a strong working relationship with Senator Grassley and his team. There may be a Medicare “Fix Bill” introduced in the spring. If Senator Grassley recognizes the significance of our bill, and it has strong support in the Senate, he could attach it to another bill, thereby increasing its chance of passage.

How can you help?

• 1)      Do you know of a cardiac or pulmonary rehab program being affected by this location stipulation? Is your program wanting to relocate but unable to do so due to decreased reimbursement? Email me: susan.flack@unitypoint.org  Real-life examples from their home state make a strong impact with our elected officials.
• 2)      Prior to our DOTH visit, please make sure your Congressman/woman knows about H.R.4838 and why it is important to their constituents. Several weeks ago you were encouraged to use the virtual lobbying tool on the AACVPR website to contact your representative. As of 1/27/20, 35 persons in Iowa have sent 57 messages to members in the House of Representatives. A breakdown:
• ·         Congressman King (District 4) – 31 letters
• ·         Congresswoman Axne (District 3) – 18 letters
• ·         Congressman Loebsack (District 2) – 6 letters
• ·         Congresswoman Finkenauer (District 1) – 2 letters

If you have not yet contacted your District Representative regarding H.R.4838, please do so as soon as possible. Detailed information about this issue, and contact information is available on the AACVPR website. The virtual tool is simple to use, but if you prefer you may call or fax their office. Our DOTH visits are much more productive if our Representatives are aware of our bill. Phone calls and faxes from patients and physicians are great as well. The more they receive the better!

• 3)      Stay tuned for information regarding a companion Senate bill. When introduced, we will encourage use of a virtual correspondence tool for this as well.

Please click the link below to access the IACPR Fall Newsletter for 2019. 

IACPR Newsletter Fall 2019.pdf

As you know, AACVPR held its annual Day on the Hill advocacy event earlier this month in Washington, DC. Over 75 individuals representing more than 30 states made over 150 visits to their elected officials. Many of you partook! This year, the event and some of the key elements of our advocacy efforts were captured on camera.

Please take a moment to view this DOTH video (YouTube): https://youtu.be/UaDr2a2L058

Finally, while AACVPR has made good traction in the efforts to amend 603, the advocacy doesn’t stop at Day on the Hill. Check the AACVPR website to find additional “DOTH at Home” resources. You are encouraged to visit you representatives’ home offices and advocate for change. Or contact them on-line through senate.gov or house,gov.

https://www.aacvpr.org/Advocacy/Advocacy-Day-on-the-Hill

 

 

Click the link to view: IACPR Newsletter Spring 2018.docx