Board of Directors : Deb Brekke

Deb Brekke

Office: President (2005-2007)

Institution: Mobridge Regional Hospital - Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehav

City: Mobridge, South Dakota

Professional Accomplishments: RN, BSN, ACLS trained, Mobridge Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab Director fro 9 years, Wellness Center Director for 6 years, former UPCRA board member, former outcomes committee member, incoming scholarship committee chairman.

Vision for UPCRA: My vision for UPCRA is to continue the exchange of information between rehab professionals to create a more uniform standard of care. Coming from a smaller community, I feel we need to continue to enhance networking and education between rural and larger rehabs to form a more powerful alliance. Supporting the AACVPR in its efforts to provide reasonable reimbursement and physician involvement is imperative for the continuation and advancement of our profession. I also feel we need to increase outcomes participation, potentially through the use of the Orion software, to not only find ways to improve program education, but to increase our database network. Benchmarking these outcomes is our proof that cardiac and pulmonary rehab is essential in helping patients and their families regain control over their health through lifestyle changes. We need to continue to uphold the philosophies and mission of UPCRA by working together to promote education, research, and public awareness about cardiopulmonary health.