NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue Celebrates Milestone 300th Graduate from Heart Health Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Program
Patient Jeffrey Rubin celebrates a personal triumph as the proud 300th graduate of the program The popular program was recently accredited by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Nov 24, 2025
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue today announced the 300th graduate from their Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness program. The program, launched in 2020, supports patients who have recently undergone a cardiac procedure, such as an angioplasty and stent placement or valve surgery, or cardiac event, such as a heart attack, or are at risk because of symptoms such as high blood pressure, heart failure or diabetes. The program provides a holistic approach to cardiac recovery, including supervised medical care, exercise training, nutrition guidance, behavioral health, and addressing social determinants of health. Almost half of graduates have achieved optimal blood pressure control, one third of graduates have improved their ability to exercise longer, and most found improvement in depression scores. Treatment and coaching are offered via in-person, virtual, and hybrid options.
Jeffrey Rubin, 74, the 300th graduate, shared his experience: “I receive my primary care from Dr. Modi at Bellevue, and she is very thorough. She said ‘I know you have a family history of cardiac disease and you had a heart attack, you should join our cardiac rehab program. I spent 3-4 months in the program. I learned how to eat better, and they have all these machines, the treadmill, the elliptical. I lost 10 pounds, my blood pressure improved, and my heart is doing good! It was a lot of fun and I felt great!”
Demand for the program remains exceptionally high. While most referrals come from within the NYC Health + Hospitals network, a notable portion of patients are referred from outside Bellevue Hospital, underscoring the program’s regional reputation for excellence. The Bellevue Hospital cardiac rehabilitation team includes members from diverse specializations, including cardiologists, physiatrists, nurse practitioners, registered dietitians, exercise physiologists, registered nurses, occupational therapists, and patient care associates. Expansion of the team and equipment has served to increase access and allow for more tailored and effective treatment for the growing needs of the NYC Health + Hospitals patient population.
The program recently earned formal accreditation from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR). This prestigious recognition affirms the team’s commitment to delivering high-quality care and highlights the program’s exceptional standards and impact. AACVPR Program Certification is designed for hospital outpatient and physician office based cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs and is the only peer-reviewed accreditation process designed to review individual facilities for adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by the AACVPR.
“We are thrilled to reach this milestone of 300 graduates,” said Matthew Vorsanger, MD, FACC, FASE, RPVI, Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation Center, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “The success of our program is a testament to the hard work of our dedicated team and the resilience of our patients. We remain committed to expanding access and continuing to deliver life-changing care.”
“The recent accreditation from the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation (AACVPR) is a testament to the exceptional care and dedication of our team at Bellevue,” remarked Norma Keller, MD, FACC, Chief of Cardiology, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “This prestigious recognition underscores our commitment to providing the highest standards of cardiac rehabilitation, ensuring that every patient receives the comprehensive support they need to achieve lasting health and wellness. We are proud to be one of the few programs to meet the rigorous guidelines set by AACVPR, reinforcing our mission to improve outcomes for patients and make a meaningful difference in their lives.”
“Reaching the milestone of our 300th graduate is a proud moment for the entire team at Bellevue,” said Eric Wei, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Our Heart Health Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Program is designed not only to help patients recover but to empower them to embrace a healthier future. We are deeply committed to providing personalized, compassionate care, and it’s inspiring to see the success of every individual who completes the program. The achievement of our 300th graduate reflects the dedication of our cardiology team, and it fuels our excitement for what lies ahead as we continue to transform lives and improve outcomes.”
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MEDIA CONTACT: Bellevue Public Relations, 212-562-4516
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About NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is America’s oldest public hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the 851-bed hospital is a major referral center for highly complex cases, with 6,000 employees including highly skilled, interdisciplinary clinical staff. The hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and annually it sees about 103,000 emergency room visits, and more than 520,000 outpatient visits. Clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Bariatric Surgery; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Children’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/bellevue and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and X (Twitter).
About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest municipal health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlusHealth —all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 46,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.
