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Pulmonary Rehabilitation

at Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital

Our Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program

Pulmonary Rehabilitation is an exercise and education program that can greatly benefit those with lung disease. Whether caused by smoking, occupational, environmental, or genetic factors, these conditions leave people chronically short of breath and can be very debilitating. Routine activities, such as putting on a pair of socks, can leave a person fighting for air.

Outpatient Pulmonary Rehabilitation can help such individuals return to a more active lifestyle. Our goal is to help these patients achieve and maintain a maximum level of independent functioning and improved quality of life.

Benefits from regular exercise and educational programs include:

  • Reduced hospitalizations
  • Improved well being
  • Improved exercise tolerance
  • Reduced shortness of breath

Pulmonary Rehabilitation Program Details

Meet Our Team

Medical Director:

Respiratory Therapists:

  • Cristiana Lafferty, RRT
  • Brenda Rodrigues, RRT

Senior Manager of Outpatient Pulmonary Services:

  • Adam Smith, BS, RRT-ACCS, CES-A

Times

Our program consists of up to 18 group sessions, taking about 9 - 11 weeks to complete. Classes meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays with two time options:

    • 10 am to 12 noon
    • 1 to 3 pm
Education

Patient education is essential to providing patients with the tools to feel empowered and confident that they can better manage their conditions. Education topics include but are not limited to:

  • Medications
  • Travelling
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Energy conservation
  • Breathing techniques
  • Nutrition
  • Oxygen therapy
  • Stress management
Exercise

Exercise programs are tailored to each individual's fitness level and capabilities and will be designed to improve flexibility, strength, and cardiopulmonary endurance by incorporating:

  • Stretching to improve muscular flexibility and range of motion.
  • Strength training to improve upper and lower body muscular strength through the use of free weights.
  • Aerobic training to improve overall fitness through a combination of treadmill, stationary cycle, NuStep, and upper body ergometer exercise.

Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital


Offering comprehensive medical, surgical and psychiatric care as well as complete emergency, ambulatory and diagnostic services to residents of southwest Boston and the surrounding suburbs.

Learn more about BWFH