The Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs at Saint Francis Medical Center have been recertified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). The two programs were individually assessed to ensure that both meet the essential standards of care described in the AACVPR's fourth edition guidelines for practice.

The Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation programs each received national certification in 2000 and recertification in 2003 and 2006. These programs were the first in Southeast Missouri to be nationally certified. Thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon John C. Wiggans, MD, FACS, is the medical director for the Cardiac Rehabilitation program, and pulmonologist W. Keith Graham, MD, D-ABSM, is the Pulmonary Rehabilitation medical director.

Each program was reviewed by the state and regional committees, as well as the AACVPR National Certification Committee and Board of Directors, for final approval. Recertification was based on staff competencies, policies and procedures, planning and managing medical emergencies, program evaluation, outcomes assessment tools and results, individualized care plans, and feedback to physicians.

The mission of the AACVPR is to reduce morbidity, mortality and disability from cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases through education, prevention, rehabilitation, research and aggressive disease management.