By News & Views

That might be the question running through your mind if you couldn’t make it to the 40th AACVPR Annual Meeting in West Palm Beach, Florida. The answer, in one word, is: plenty! Here’s our compilation of the Top Ten Highlights that contributed to a successful event: 

1: Electric Education. The celebratory mood and the specialness of this year’s meeting was undeniable inside the Palm Beach County Convention Center, but a major reason for coming wasn’t lost on the crowd. They were there to learn, and opportunities awaited them around every corner! From individual presentations and panel discussions to research and posters, CR/PR professionals soaked up as much knowledge as possible to take back to their programs. Each session was timely, relevant, and important; and the subject matter covered all disciplines of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. If you weren’t in attendance, and even if you were (because it was impossible to take advantage of every single educational offering) the recordings of what you missed are available through the AACVPR On-Demand Access Pass. 

Some of the top choices this year, judged by standing-room-only occupancy, included “The Great Weight Debate” moderated by AACVPR Past President Hank Wu, MD, MPH, and ACSM guideline updates from Paul Gallo, EdD; Jeffrey W. Christle, CEP, PhD; and Amanda Bonikowske, PhD, FAACVPR. The pulmonary talk on diaphragmatic weakness, hosted by Bryan J. Taylor, PhD, FACSM, was another crowd-pleaser. Also noteworthy this year: 

2: Hands-On Learning. Both the CR- and PR-focused pre-meeting workshops incorporated demonstrations using actual equipment. A total of 73 people signed up for the chance to puff on inhalers, climb on cardio equipment, take the sit-to-stand test instead of administering it, and more … all in the name of enhancing their understanding of the participant perspective. It didn’t hurt that high-profile talent from the AACVPR bench coached the workshops, described in a previous News & Views article. 

         

3: New Pulmonary Rehabilitation Guidelines. Another key session was dedicated to an overview of AACVPR’s 2025 clinical practice recommendations for PR, set to roll out by year-end. The 6th and newest edition of the guidance hasn’t officially been released, but AACVPR Past President Ash Walker, MA, ACSM-RCEP, FAACVPR, and current Board Member Katherine Menson, DO, treated attendees to a sneak peak of this important update.  

4: ‘Ask the Experts’ Sessions. This format, introduced to the Annual Meeting a couple of years ago, continued to demonstrate value. The informal discussions place a group of members at a round table with a single expert, who fields questions in his or her area of expertise. Participation was highly sought-after, organizers report. 

5: Networking. With 566 CR and PR professionals in attendance, it would be hard to believe anyone went home without making a professional connection or new friend. And nearly a third of those onsite were attending their very first AACVPR Annual Meeting! President Stacey Greenway, MA, MPH, MAACVPR, ACSM-CEP, and Past President Ash Walker, MA, ACSM-RCEP, FAACVPR, below, snapped a selfie with some new friends at the Emerging Professionals Meet and Greet. 

 

6: New Logo. Folks had no idea it was coming, but members gathered in West Palm Beach were on hand for the unveiling of AACVPR’s brand-new logo! The modernized branding, seen below, is meant to reflect the association’s vision of a future where members are inspired and invested in a professional community that supports and celebrates the work they do. The new imagery was emblazoned on lapel pins gifted to attendees. 

 

7: Leadership. Importantly, the Annual Meeting is when and where the annual transition of leadership occurs. Immediate Past President David Prince, MD, passed the gavel — figuratively — to his successor, Stacey Greenway, MA, MPH, MAACVPR, ACSM-CEP. Her first remarks as AACVPR 2025-2026 President were addressed to members in attendance at the event, during which she hinted at plans for a new Strategic Plan for the association in 2026.  

8: Kudos. Several individuals and teams were honored in the Awards Showcase,  including the recipients of the prestigious L. Kent Smith and Linda K. Hall Innovation awards. Multiple other accolades were presented, including poster awards and research awards; and let’s not forget the men and women who achieved the distinction of AACVPR Fellow or Master (including News & Views’ own Ruth Akers, RN, BSN, MS, MAACVPR!) In fact, there’s at least a small chance that someone you know crossed the stage at Annual Meeting to accept recognition for their good work!  

9: LEAD. The 40th AACVPR Annual Meeting also marked the first time that a cohort of the Leadership Development Academy took to the stage to mark their completion of the program, which was generously supported by LSI and Weaver and Company. The graduation was proud moment not only for the class of 50 — who spent the last 7 months building their skills in areas such as people management, financial acumen, human resources, program improvement, and more — but also for the course directors, Kate Traynor, RN, MS, MAACVPR; and Matt Thomas, MS, MBA, ACSM-CEP, FAACVPR, who put the curriculum together. 

          

10: And, last but certainly not least … PARTY! After all, the theme for this year’s Annual Meeting was “Celebrating Our Progress, Shaping Our Future!” What better way — than with a send-off party — to commemorate an occasion marking 40 years of practice, advocacy, education, leadership, and more while welcoming the next 40 with a strong vision and sense of direction? So, party, we did. The off-site fete regaled guests with food, fun games, and a live band before sending them back to their respective programs all across the country.  

 

BONUS: If you missed the Annual Meeting, you also missed a rare and memorable performance — not likely to ever be replicated — by Immediate Past President David Prince, MD. He became the audience’s tour guide through a nostalgic look back at AACVPR over five decades in existence. Colored by wardrobe changes and walk-up music appropriate for each era, Prince delivered a description of pivotal pop culture moments during the 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s before turning the mic over to an AACVPR past president who served during the corresponding periods. Those speakers — Anne Gavic, MPA, RCEP, MAACVPR; Pat Comoss, RN, BS, MAACVPR; Murray Low, EdD, MAACVPR, FACSM; Kate Traynor, RN, MS, MAACVPR; and Ana Mola, PhD, RN, ANP-BC, MAACVPR — captured the evolution of the cardiopulmonary rehabilitation field over the decades and explained how AACVPR pivoted to meet the needs that each shift demanded. The mix of history and humor was infectious, and not likely to be soon forgotten. If it is, News & Views has the photos to prove it happened! 

1980s:

 

1990s:

 

2000s:

 

2010s:

 

2020s: