CCMH Employee Receives ACSM Certification

GILLETTE, WY - Ruth Kellam, a registered nurse in the Cardiac Diagnostics and Rehabilitation department of Campbell County Health, recently received certification as a Health Fitness Specialist from the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

ACSM Certified Health Fitness Specialists are required to have at least an Associate Degree and are qualified to work with special populations with medically controlled diseases who have been cleared by their physician for independent exercise, such as the CCMH Cardiac Rehab program. Certified Health Fitness Specialists are skilled in conducting risk stratification, conducting physical fitness assessments and interpreting results, constructing appropriate exercise prescriptions for healthy adults and individuals with controlled conditions released for independent physical activity, motivating apparently healthy individuals with medically controlled diseases to adopt and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors and motivating individuals to begin and continue with their healthy behaviors.

The American College of Sports Medicine promotes and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life. As the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, ACSM has more than 20,000 International, National, and Regional Chapter members.

Cardiac Rehabilitation helps patients gain a healthier lifestyle by strengthening their hearts and reducing their risk for future problems. The program combines exercise with information on how to modify coronary risk factors after a heart attack, stent, coronary artery bypass, valve replacement, stable angina or heart-lung or lung transplant. Cardiac Rehab is located in the CCMH annex, call 688.2330 for more information.