Mended Hearts-Downey Campus

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The goal of Mended Hearts is to provide peer-to-peer support from volunteers who have been heart patients themselves. Volunteers visit at the patient’s bedside either pre or post operation. Volunteers are specially trained to listen to patients so they can address specific concerns including what the patient may face after their procedure or surgery, lifestyle changes, infection prevention, recovery and treatment. During a patients’ operation, volunteers spend time with the family members to provide reassurance. Volunteers also provide support after the patient has been discharged by making follow-up phone calls. The volunteer answers questions the patient may have post operation and ensures the patient is doing well emotionally and mentally. Mended Hearts volunteers can also be found in the PIH Health Cardiac Rehabilitation Gym encouraging others in the benefits of exercise.

You do not have to of had a heart procedure to be a Mended Heart volunteer. The program also needs clerical support to assist staff in the Heart and Lung Center. They answer phone calls, maintain the data base of members, send out educational material, coordinate and train new volunteers, promote the program at community events, and are available to encourage patients and answer questions when needed.

Members of this program are certified through Mended Hearts and are PIH Health volunteers.