UM Health-Sparrow Ionia launches Cardiac Rehab Clinic

Published: November 12, 2024

IONIA, MI – University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Ionia is excited to announce the opening of a state-of-the-art cardiac rehabilitation clinic, designed to improve patient outcomes and quality of life of patients recovering from heart attacks, heart failure, or other cardiac conditions requiring surgery or treatment.

UM Health-Sparrow Ionia Cardiac Rehab - Julie Pung, Robin Erskin, and Chad Link, DO

University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Ionia Cardiac Rehabilitation patient Julie Pung (center) celebrates the opening of the new clinic with exercise physiologist Robin Erskin (left) and cardiologist Chad Link, D.O. (right).

UM Health-Sparrow Ionia Cardiac Rehab - Julie Pung and Robin Erskin

University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Ionia Cardiac Rehabilitation exercise physiologist Robin Erskin works with patient Julie Pung on her cardiac fitness.

The comprehensive clinic offers personalized exercise programs, nutrition counseling and emotional support, empowering patients to improve their heart health while staying close to home.

“It just means a whole lot to have this facility closer to my home,” said cardiac rehab patient Julie Pung. “I feel like I’m getting stronger with my sessions and not having to drive 45 minutes each way to the clinic, on top of the exercise, has left me feeling less tired overall.”

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. and U-M Health is committed to reversing this trend by offering leading-edge rehabilitation services to help patients recover, reduce their risk of future heart events and live healthier lives.

“Cardiac rehab has been proven to improve a patient’s quality of life, increase cardiovascular fitness and reduce future hospitalizations,” said Chad Link, D.O., medical director, UM Health-Sparrow Ionia Cardiac Rehabilitation. "Completing 36 sessions reduces the chance of having a heart attack by 31% and the risk of cardiac death by 47%."

UM Health-Sparrow also has cardiac rehabilitation clinics at in Lansing, Charlotte and St. Johns. Patients looking to improve their heart health are encouraged to speak with their physician or cardiologist about a referral.

For more information about the leading-edge cardiovascular services provided at UM Health-Sparrow, visit UofMHealthSparrow.org/Heart.

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University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier health care organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia and St. Johns, as well as UM Health-Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Care Network, the Michigan Athletic Club, and AL!VE. UM Health-Sparrow is part of University of Michigan Health. Through the dedication of our 10,000 team members, UM Health-Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and patient experience. For more information, visit UofMHealthSparrow.org.