Karen Gates, MS, CES, RCEP receives 2006 Distinguished Service Award

The Executive Committee of the MACVPR would like to congratulate Karen Gates as the recipient of the MACVPR Distinguished Service Award for 2006. The Distinguished Service Award is given to a member who has made outstanding contributions to the field of cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation, the MACVPR/AACVPR, and/or has demonstrated commendable efforts toward clinical advancement in primary and secondary prevention of people with cardiovascular and/or pulmonary disease. This award is given on a biannual basis at our October Program Development Meeting.

Karen, an exercise physiologist, has been a longtime member of the MACVPR and has served on the Executive Committee in many positions including President. To quote a nomination letter, “During her term as President, the MACVPR website was refined and changes were made to the policies, procedures, and bylaws to reflect changing times and growth of the organization.” Karen is currently the immediate past president, and has “done an exemplary job of mentoring our current president”. In addition, due to lack of interest by other members in volunteering on the Executive Committee, Karen has agreed to stay on even longer in the capacity of Co-President with Wayne Reynolds. “Karen has put off significant participation in the Massachusetts Association of Clinical Exercise Physiologists for another year in order to ensure that MACVPR continues with appropriate leadership and people in place to assume leadership roles in the near future.” Karen has also fostered communication and cooperation between both the MACVPR and the MACEP, which has been beneficial to both organizations.

Not only has Karen been a tremendous asset to the MACVPR, she has been a great role model for her colleagues at MetroWest Medical Center. To quote her boss Shauna Tuohey, “Karen has worked with us for four years and has brought with her endless enthusiasm and commitment in helping our participants stay motivated to achieve their goals and maintain a heart healthy lifestyle. She has genuine concern for their well being and listens attentively to their needs. She has been an asset to our program and all the staff feel very fortunate to be able to work with someone that is so dedicated to her profession.”

Karen truly exemplifies dedication to her profession and to our organization. She has been a tremendous leader in the MACVPR and certainly meets or exceeds all of the criteria for the award. She has been an inspiration to us all. We are all grateful for her efforts in the past and are especially appreciative of her willingness to stay on the Executive Committee for the near future to continue to help our organization grow and flourish. Many thanks, Karen!!

AACVPR Announcess New Innovation Award
The AACVPR is proud to announce it's newest award - The Innovation Award. The purpose of the Innovation Award is to highlight those programs who have enhanced the delivery of Pulmonary or Cardiac Rehabilitation in especially creative ways. The criteria for the award is based on the definition of Disease Management, as set forth by the Disease Management Association of America (DMAA). For a description and award criteria, please go to www.aacvpr.org/meeting/Innovcover1.doc.

MACVPR Distinguished Service Award:
The Massachusetts Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (MACVPR) membership presents a biannual achievement award at the October Program Development Meeting.  This award is given to a member in good standing who has made outstanding contributions to the field of Cardiac or Pulmonary Rehabilitation, the MACVPR/AACVPR and/or has demonstrated commendable efforts toward clinical advancement in primary and secondary prevention of people with cardiovascular and/or pulmonary disease.

Nominations will be accepted in the Spring on a Bi-Annual (even years) basis.  There will be a call for nominations at the May General Meeting as well as in the Spring Newsletter of that year.  If on that year, no member meets the criteria, the award presentation will be put off until the following year.  Nominations must be written and include a paragraph stating why the nominee should be considered for this award.  The Executive Committee will review nominations and vote on the recipient.  The recipient will be announced at the October Program Development Meeting.  The recipient receives a two-year membership to the MACVPR, a plaque, and the fee for that October meeting will be waived.
 
Criteria:

• Must be a MACVPR Member
• Based on contributions and service to MACVPR
• Based on contributions and service to the profession.

2004 Award Recipient
Kate Traynor, MS, RN

2002 Award Recipient
Dyan Dal Pozzo, MS, RCEP, CPD

2000 Award Recipient
Elizabeth Eagan-Bengston, RN, MS, RCEP