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Pulmonary Wellness Program Celebrates Anniversary

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Program serves local men and women living with chronic lung conditions.

Dignity Health Woodland Memorial Hospital’s Pulmonary Wellness program marked a milestone on Thursday, Oct. 15 as staff and participants celebrated the program’s one-year anniversary. “This program is truly serving a need in our community,” says Program Director Chris Giambruno. “We are thrilled to hit the one-year marker knowing we’ve made a difference to hundreds of men and women in Yolo County.”

Pulmonary Wellness is an exercise and education program for adults living with chronic lung disease, including COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), asthma, and Interstitial Lung Disease. Program participants receive individualized instruction and exercise programs aimed at educating them about their condition and helping them to use activity to improve their lung function. 

“Exercise allows patients with a chronic lung condition to use the oxygen available to them more efficiently,” says Giambruno. “We instruct participants through breathing retraining, medication use, lung anatomy, and various other components. The goal is to help patients manage their chronic condition and help them stay out of the hospital.”

For people living with chronic lung conditions, managing symptoms can be challenging. Everyday tasks become difficult and quality of life can be drastically affected. Woodland Memorial Hospital created Pulmonary Wellness to give patients the tools needed to manage symptoms and restore their quality of life, while also creating a network of support among others living with similar conditions. 

 “When I first started the program I came in with a walker, and now I don’t use one anymore. I enjoy being more active and I make sure to schedule my life around these classes,” says Lynda Findley, Pulmonary Wellness patient. “I enjoy coming every week, the staff is so supportive and the friendships I’ve made with the other participants is wonderful.” 

Pulmonary Wellness is an 8-week program that meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at Woodland Memorial Hospital. It is the only program of its kind offered in Yolo County and is open to anyone living with chronic lung disease. A referral is needed but Woodland Memorial Hospital staff is happy to assist. The program is typically covered by most insurance plans.

Publish date: 

Friday, October 16, 2015

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Lindsay Leszczynski 
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