Capital Cardiology Associates’ Enhanced Cardiac Rehab Program Earns National Certification
ALBANY, NY – Capital Cardiology Associates (CCA) has announced that its Enhanced Cardiac Rehabilitation program has officially received national certification from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The recognition highlights the program’s rapid growth and success since launching just three years ago.
Certification from AACVPR is a rigorous, peer-reviewed process that evaluates a program’s clinical practices, outcomes, and adherence to nationally recognized standards for cardiac rehabilitation. For CCA, the accreditation signifies a meaningful achievement in its commitment to delivering comprehensive, evidence-based care.
Larissa DiPace, MS, RN, ACSM-CEP, who manages the Enhanced Cardiac Rehab program, praised her team for making it happen.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team and the hard work that led to achieving our AACVPR certification,” said DiPace. “This accomplishment reflects our consistent dedication to patient-centered care and our alignment with CCA’s mission to deliver innovative and compassionate cardiac care. Reaching this milestone in just three years is a remarkable achievement and a true testament to the passion, expertise, and excellence of our entire team.”
CCA’s Enhanced Cardiac Rehab program is based on the nationally recognized Pritikin model—a lifestyle-centered approach that goes far beyond traditional rehab. In addition to medically supervised exercise, patients participate in hands-on nutrition classes, cooking demonstrations, and workshops focused on stress management and sustainable heart health.
“Reaching this milestone didn’t happen overnight—it reflects countless hours of preparation, collaboration, and a deep commitment to excellence,” said Caitlin Lobdell, RN, BSN, Director of Nursing. “The Cardiac Rehab team here at CCA have truly set the bar for what it means to lead with heart and purpose.”
Dr. Kevin Woods, Medical Director of CCA’s Enhanced Cardiac Rehab program, emphasized the program’s real-world impact.
“I am extremely proud of our ECR team in earning this recognition. Patient feedback has been great. Their compassionate care has helped our patients recover from cardiac events and continues to empower them to understand the impact their commitment to lifestyle can bring to their quality of life!”
The program is available to patients recovering from heart attack, bypass surgery, angioplasty, stent placement, valve repair or replacement, chronic heart failure, or heart transplant. With personalized exercise plans, clinical oversight, and lifestyle education, each patient receives care tailored to their condition and recovery goals.
Weekly cooking classes like “Fast and Healthy Breakfasts” and “One-Pot Wonders” help patients and their families gain practical skills they can use at home. The goal is to support long-term change, not just short-term recovery.
“Cardiac rehab is a time-tested, proven, and well-established component of recovery from a heart event, yet traditionally, the focus has been solely on exercise,” said DiPace. “That’s why we’re proud to partner with Pritikin ICR to offer a truly comprehensive experience that strengthens every facet of our patients’ well-being.”
The AACVPR certification places CCA’s Enhanced Cardiac Rehab program among the best in the field, confirming the team’s ability to deliver safe, effective care rooted in current best practices.
“The incredible achievement of being awarded the AACVPR Certification is a true result of the dedication, passion, and hard work of an exceptional team that continuously goes above and beyond to deliver the highest standard of care to our patients,” added DiPace.
For patients and providers across the Capital Region, the certification is another sign that CCA continues to raise the bar in cardiac care.
If you're a current CCA patient and think you might benefit from Enhanced Cardiac Rehab, talk to your provider to learn more.
More information at: capitalcardiology.com/enhanced-cardiac-rehab
Disclaimer: The content in this article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. For personalized recommendations, please consult your healthcare provider.
