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The Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program has relocated to a new, expanded facility, marking another important milestone in UVA Health's ongoing efforts to enhance heart and vascular care and improve access for patients across the region. 

The program's new home at 590 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 200B, provides additional dedicated rehabilitation space designed to increase patient capacity, support future growth, and create an enhanced environment for supervised exercise and recovery. The program previously operated from Fontaine Research Park Building 500. 

“This is where patients get their lives back. It’s a confidence booster and the next step in their journey. What we do here is so important,” says Laura Thielemann, MPA, Associate Chief, Heart and Vascular Institute. “For someone who isn’t familiar with cardiovascular services, cardiac rehab or pulmonary rehab might look like a gym with a lot of equipment. But for a patient who has just spent weeks, if not months, in the hospital, this is where they begin getting their life back. It’s an incredibly important part of their recovery and their journey.” 

The move reflects UVA Health's continued commitment to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care and supports the vision of the Heart and Vascular Institute (HVI), which launched earlier this year. 

The Heart and Vascular Institute brings together heart and vascular clinical faculty from UVA School of Medicine, University Medical Center, UVA Community Health, and clinical partners across Virginia within a unified care model. By aligning care delivery, governance, and operational leadership, the institute is strengthening coordination across the system while positioning UVA Health for continued growth and innovation. 

The relocation of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program is one example of how the institute is advancing its goals of improving patient access, creating a more seamless care continuum, and rapidly expanding services to meet growing patient needs. 

"I'm excited about the valuable work that will continue in this facility. The work that's done here is meaningful. It's substantive. It impacts lives. It changes lives. It's where I return to recalibrate myself, and the team knows this.” says Thomas Miller III, Director, Cardiovascular Imaging, Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. “I come back to this setting to remind myself why I do what I do, and I'm exceedingly proud of this team.” 

“I have a passion for our patients from Southwest Virginia, and I know traveling to Charlottesville for specialized care at UVA Health can be challenging for them. But my patients from the area consistently tell me how exceptional the Pulmonary Rehabilitation program is,” says Drew A. Harris, MD, Medical Director, Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program. “They describe feeling connected to the team, safe, and welcome from the moment they arrive. Hearing those experiences helps build trust in UVA Health across the communities I serve and reassures patients and their families that they’re in good hands.”

Cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services play a vital role in helping patients recover from heart and lung conditions, improving strength, endurance, and overall quality of life through monitored exercise, education, and support. In addition to the Jefferson Parkway Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program, Prince William Medical Center also offers a rehab program for patients in their area, further expanding UVA Health’s reach.  

As demand for these services continues to grow, the expanded Jefferson Parkway facility will allow the team to serve more patients in a setting purpose-built for rehabilitation and recovery. 

“I’ve been a cardiologist for more than 20 years, and I thought I understood cardiac rehab. But this team has made me appreciate how much goes into it beyond clinical care,” says Kanwar Singh, MD, Medical Director, Cardiovascular Rehabilitation Program. “A cardiac diagnosis can shake your confidence in your own body in an instant. Through every session, our team is by the patient's side, encouraging them as they rebuild their strength and restore their confidence. And along the way, real connections are built.”

As demand for these services continues to grow, the expanded Jefferson Parkway facility will allow the team to serve more patients in a setting purpose-built for rehabilitation and recovery. 

The photos accompanying this story were taken during an internal celebration held last week to mark the opening of the program's new location and recognize the teams whose efforts made the transition possible.