Meet MHHC's cardiopulmonary rehabilitation team

Methodist Hospital | Hill Country Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation program supports patients by creating an individual and personalized treatment plan, including evaluation and instruction on physical activity, nutrition, stress management, and other related areas to manage chronic conditions. The cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation team will partner directly with your physician to help you lead a more productive and satisfying life. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation benefits include the ability to function better in your daily life, increased ability to exercise, and decreased symptoms of your chronic condition.

The center offers three medically supervised programs to help you achieve a more active lifestyle, recover from a cardiac event, improve your quality of life if diagnosed with chronic lung disease (including long COVID), or improve mobility and discomfort if diagnosed with peripheral artery disease. To include a self-pay Phase III/Heart Fitness program, also requiring a doctor's order, when you have completed your primary rehabilitation program. Phase III/Heart Fitness is unmonitored, and patients exercise in the gym twice a week for an hour. To learn more about any of our programs, call 830-997-1358.

Cardiac rehabilitation program:

• Heart attack
• Bypass surgery
• Valve surgery (repair or replacement)
• Stents
• Heart failure
• Heart transplant
• Angina pectoris

Pulmonary rehabilitation program:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (requires a pulmonary function test)
• Emphysema
• Chronic bronchitis
• Pulmonary fibrosis
• Bronchiectasis
• Post COVID condition
• Pulmonary embolism
• Other lung issues

Services are often covered by insurance and are provided at Methodist Hospital |Hill Country Outpatient Rehabilitation Center at 1020 S State Hwy 16. An order from your doctor is required to enroll.

Over the past year, from February 2023 to January 2024, the team has supported over 9,400 Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation patient visits from over 300 patients. The team cares for patients of all ages; this past year, the youngest patient was born in 1992, while the oldest was born in 1929.

Meet the team:

• Patsy Glasscock has been a Registered Nurse for 46 years, all at the hospital. Her work began at the Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Center 33 years ago, and she is the manager of the department.
• Kelly Dooley is a Registered Nurse and has been at the hospital for 43 years ago, working with Cardiopulmonary Rehab for 30 years.
• Cherisse Smith has served as a Registered Nurse for 40 years, with 24 years at the hospital and as part of the team.
• Amy Montgomery has served as a Registered Nurse for 21 years at the hospital out of her 39-year career and worked in cardiopulmonary rehab for 17 years.
• Karla Lawrence began at the hospital 37 years ago and is the Cardiopulmonary Rehabs respiratory therapy specialist, focusing on pulmonary patients.
• Bianca Chavez has been an exercise specialist for four years and part of the team for one year.
• Shawn Abel has been on the team as the Office Coordinator for three years.

Together, the team has over 200+ years of collective experience!

After patients have completed the program, there is a continued opportunity for education through the Cardiac Support Group, which meets at noon on the 1st Thursday of each month in the Learning Cdenter. Also, a quarterly Pulmonary Support Group meets at the hospital. To learn more and RSVP for the programs, please call (830) 997-1358.

Supporting the community is a passion and priority. The team teaches hands-only CPR to groups or organizations; please call (830) 997-1358 to discuss your group's needs. Each staff member teaches from the Heart as they strive to get you back to your life and are proud to be a part of Methodist Hospital | Hill Country.