Montefiore has opened the borough’s first pulmonary rehabilitation program in Wakefield. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Monday, Feb. 26 to mark the opening.

 

The new space at Montefiore Medical Center’s Wakefield campus, located at 600 East 233rd Street, will serve patients with a variety of chronic respiratory diseases, including COPD, emphysema, cystic fibrosis, and Long-COVID related lung disease, as well as patients in need of both pre and post-lung transplant care.

 

Montefiore officials said additionally, the new space will serve increased numbers of cardiac rehabilitation patients, including people with heart failure, ischemic heart disease, and those who need cardiac rehabilitation after heart surgeries and procedures, such as heart transplants, cardiac bypass surgery, and valve replacement or repair.

As reported, February marks American Heart Month. Montefiore officials said one thousand new patients per year will now be able to receive supervised exercise training, disease-related education and group support, in their home borough.

 

According to Montefiore, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation care improves symptoms of disease, improves quality of life, and reduces hospital admissions, yet not enough patients have access to these specialized services.

 

Montefiore officials said with the expanded and enhanced facilities at Montefiore’s Wakefield campus, more patients will have access to exercise physiologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and rehabilitation medicine specialists.

Read our latest story on the launch of American Heart Month at Montefiore Medical Center here, and click here to read our latest health check relating to heart disease prevention.