New cardiac rehab program at OHSU Doernbecher prescribes exercise to improve longevity

By Tracy Brawley February 15, 2018 Portland, Ore.

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Physician assistant Alissa Lyman, P.A.-C. (left) races Will Van Dyke on stools to get his heart rate up during a work out, February 9, 2018. Van Dyke, born with a congenital heart condition, was the first patient to enroll in OHSU Doernbecher’s new Pediatric Cardiac Rehab Clinic. The program is a collaboration between Doernbecher and the OHSU physical therapy program to develop safe exercise plans personalized to each patient's heart. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Pediatric cardiac rehab

Physical therapist Sarah Staropoli, P.T., D.P.T., (left) used data from Will Van Dyke's cardiac tests to develop a safe exercise plan personalized to Van Dyke's heart.
Van Dyke, born with a congenital heart condition, was the first patient to enroll in OHSU Doernbecher’s new Pediatric Cardiac Rehab Clinic. The program is a collaboration between Doernbecher and the OHSU physical therapy program to develop safe exercise plans personalized to each patient's heart. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Pediatric cardiac rehab

Physical therapist Sarah Staropoli, P.T., D.P.T., (left) and physician assistant Alissa Lyman, P.A.-C. (center) used data from Will Van Dyke's cardiac tests to develop a safe exercise plan personalized to Van Dyke's heart. Van Dyke, born with a congenital heart condition, was the first patient to enroll in OHSU Doernbecher’s new Pediatric Cardiac Rehab Clinic. The program is a collaboration between Doernbecher and the OHSU physical therapy program to develop safe exercise plans personalized to each patient's heart. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Pediatric cardiac rehab

Lori Van Dyke, mother of Will Van Dyke, says “Strenuous activity and contact sports haven’t always been top of mind for Will due to bouts of oxygen deprivation and the fact that he has had so many surgeries.” She's thrilled he participated in OHSU Doernbecher’s new Pediatric Cardiac Rehab Clinic. The program is a collaboration between Doernbecher and the OHSU physical therapy program to develop safe exercise plans personalized to each patient's heart. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Pediatric cardiac rehab

Will Van Dyke wears resistance band around his ankles during a work out, February 9, 2018. Van Dyke, born with a congenital heart condition, was the first patient to enroll in OHSU Doernbecher’s new Pediatric Cardiac Rehab Clinic. The program is a collaboration between Doernbecher and the OHSU physical therapy program to develop safe exercise plans personalized to each patient's heart. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Pediatric cardiac rehab

Fifteen-year-old Will Van Dyke, born with a congenital heart condition, was the first patient to enroll in OHSU Doernbecher’s new Pediatric Cardiac Rehab Clinic. The program is a collaboration between Doernbecher and OHSU physical therapy to develop safe exercise plans personalized to each patient's heart. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Jennifer Huang, M.D. (OHSU)

Pediatric cardiac rehab

Will Van Dyke, 15, during a work out, February 9, 2018. Van Dyke, born with a congenital heart condition, was the first patient to enroll in OHSU Doernbecher’s new Pediatric Cardiac Rehab Clinic. The program is a collaboration between Doernbecher and the OHSU physical therapy program to develop safe exercise plans personalized to each patient's heart. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Pediatric cardiac rehab

Will Van Dyke battles physician assistant Alissa Lyman, P.A.-C. (right) during a work out, February 9, 2018. Van Dyke, born with a congenital heart condition, was the first patient to enroll in OHSU Doernbecher’s new Pediatric Cardiac Rehab Clinic. The program is a collaboration between Doernbecher and the OHSU physical therapy program to develop safe exercise plans personalized to each patient's heart. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)

Pediatric cardiac rehab

Will Van Dyke (left) beats physician assistant Alissa Lyman, P.A.-C. across the finish line in a stool race during a work out, February 9, 2018. Van Dyke, born with a congenital heart condition, was the first patient to enroll in OHSU Doernbecher’s new Pediatric Cardiac Rehab Clinic. The program is a collaboration between Doernbecher and the OHSU physical therapy program to develop safe exercise plans personalized to each patient's heart. (OHSU/Kristyna Wentz-Graff)