Executive Director, AACVPR

It is my honor and great pleasure to provide a recommendation for Jody Hereford. In my role as Executive Director of AACVPR, I worked closely with Ms. Hereford for a number of years. She was a long standing member of the AACVPR Board of Directors, served as the Programming Chair for the AACVPR Annual meeting and then as Chair of the AACVPR Board of Directors. Under her leadership, the AACVPR Board accomplished a number of important initiatives, including the realignment of the Heart and Lung Foundation within AACVPR. In addition, the AACVPR Program Certification Process was studied and new processes were initiated to refine and align the application, review, approval, denial and appeal processes.

Under Jody’s leadership, the AACVPR Board functioned as an aligned and cohesive unit and they were able to accomplish a number of important strategic initiatives for the growth in the utilization and payment for Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation services across the United States. In July, 2008, the Pulmonary and Cardiac Rehabilitation Act was passed in the U.S. Congress ensuring payment for Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation services through Medicare. Jody played in pivotal role in the passage of that important bill.

Ms. Hereford is well-know in the industry and has a number of important contacts in the field of healthcare. She has a strong background in policy development, leadership, and has represented AACVPR both nationally and internationally. She has a strong vision for the future and has the ability to communicate that vision effectively to engage others in the change process. On a personal note, Jody has a strong work ethic and a well-developed sense of humor. I give my strongest recommendation in support of Jody Hereford’s future endeavors.