Ray Rauch at Florida Hospital Fish Memorial
Initially, Rauch’s physician Dr. Willis, Florida Heart Group encouraged him to go to cardiac rehab because in 1990 he had Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts X 5 (CABG X 5), a type of heart surgery where 5 vessels were bypassed
He believes traveling the two miles to Florida Hospital Fish Memorial for cardiac rehab 1,000 times has saved his life.
“If it wasn’t for rehab, I’d have been planted a long time ago,” Rauch said.
At Florida Hospital Fish Memorial, cardiac rehabilitation staff members, including an exercise physiologist, certified respiratory therapists and cardiac nurses, lead participants through a personalized exercise program designed for their specific heart problems. Heart patients are carefully supervised throughout the one-hour exercise sessions, which focus on cardiovascular health, muscular strength and flexibility.
Each week, Rauch exercises on the treadmill and stationary bike and, over time, he noticed some big changes.
“I got back some of my strength,” he said. “I have more stamina and more energy now.”
Also, Rauch takes comfort in knowing the skilled staff are standing by, ready to help him in an instant should he need it.
“While I’ve been there, I’ve seen two people have heart attacks in rehab,” he said. “They [the staff] impressed me with their fast reactions and made me feel better, knowing that if I had a heart attack, I’d be well taken care of.”
Rauch is Florida Hospital Fish Memorial’s twelfth person to achieve this milestone at the Wellness Center.
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Florida Hospital Volusia/Flagler is a nonprofit hospital system with a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ. With five hospitals in Volusia & Flagler County, it is the largest hospital system in the area, caring for 650,000 patients annually.
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