By Stacey Greenway, MA, MPH, MAACVPR, ACSM-CEP

On behalf of myself and the rest of the AACVPR Board of Directors, we’re excited to share our vision for the next three years. AACVPR’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan is a bold and purposeful roadmap that will guide our work and help shape the future of cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation (CR/PR). This plan reflects thoughtful collaboration and input from across our community, and it sets a clear direction for where we are going and how we will get there. As we begin this journey, 2026 will focus on laying the foundation — with early priorities centered on member value, innovation in care delivery, and advocacy — and advancing the science that demonstrates our impact.

Goal 1: Strengthening Awareness and Engagement

A central theme of our first strategic goal is connection, ensuring that every CR/PR professional sees AACVPR as their professional home and finds meaningful value in engaging with the community.

In 2026, one of the first action items under this goal will involve launching a member value survey. Keep an eye out for this opportunity, to share your thoughts on how AACVPR can best support your needs. Your insights will help guide how we evolve benefits, resources, and engagement opportunities moving forward.

The Emerging Professionals Task Force is expanding our focus on future leaders. The group is developing new resources, including a short-format foundational skills web series and quarterly town hall–style meetups designed to promote connection, mentorship, and engagement.

Beyond our membership, the strategic plan prioritizes elevating awareness of CR/PR among patients and the public. AACVPR is developing patient video stories that highlight the real-world impact of CR/PR. These vignettes will anchor a future digital hub featuring patient-focused infographics, videos, and marketing materials, helping us better tell the CR/PR story to patients and their families.

Goal 2: Driving Innovation and Program Excellence

Innovation and sustainability are essential to the future of CR/PR, so the second strategic goal focuses on ensuring programs and  members are equipped to adapt and thrive in an evolving care environment.

In 2026, you can expect a strong emphasis on hybrid and virtual models of care. AACVPR is providing practical, real-world support to help members start strong and scale with confidence. Earlier this year, AACVPR hosted Launching & Expanding Hybrid CR/ICR/PR: What Programs Need to Know Now, where a panel of experts shared strategies for implementation, including clinical, operational, and safety considerations. If you missed it, I encourage you to view the recording — and look out for more to come!

A team of volunteers are currently developing a new half-day workshop on hybrid and virtual delivery implementation, to be hosted in June 2026. This program will allow participants to get into the details, from integrating hybrid and virtual models into existing center-based programs to educating patients in new care environments, enhancing safety and emergency planning, and making the business case to administration for expanding access through innovative delivery models.

As these models scale, AACVPR is also leading efforts to define quality. The strategic plan includes establishing program certification pathways for hybrid and virtual CR/PR, ensuring care is delivered consistently with established standards while expanding access and flexibility.

Supporting program leaders remains a key priority. Soon, AACVPR will deliver new education on business and leadership fundamentals, such as managing department financials, addressing staffing challenges, and improving operational efficiency. In parallel, through work led by the Value-Based Care Committee, AACVPR is developing a new series to help leaders advocate effectively for CR/PR and articulate program value to health systems and external stakeholders.

Advocacy remains central to our work. AACVPR continues to champion policies that protect sustainability and expand access, including permanent reimbursement for virtual CR/PR and fair payment policies that allow programs to grow. In March, more than 65 AACVPR advocates from 26 states participated in Day on the Hill, meeting with over 130 congressional offices to share the importance of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation and advocate for policies that strengthen programs nationwide. As these efforts continue, member engagement will remain essential.  I encourage you to lend your voice as we work together to advance policies that support CR/PR and the patients we serve.

Goal 3: Advancing Science and Outcomes

Showcasing evidence that demonstrates the value and impact of CR/PR is a central priority of AACVPR’s 2026–2028 Strategic Plan. While this work will continue to grow over the next several years, 2026’s efforts will emphasize actionable insights and quality improvement.

The AACVPR Quality Improvement Cohort has returned for a second year, and we are thrilled to have 18 participants moving through this intensive curriculum. Participants are exploring QI processes and tools, applying learnings directly within their programs, and strengthening their ability to drive measurable improvements in patient care.

This year, AACVPR is initiating new Registry-based research projects, with resulting manuscripts focused on key areas, such as patient adherence and functional capacity. These efforts reflect our commitment to translating data into actionable evidence that supports programs, informs practice, and elevates the role of CR/PR across the health care continuum.

At the same time, AACVPR is beginning important foundational work to support the next phase of scientific advancement, including re-envisioning the organization’s scientific and research infrastructure to better support collaboration, evidence dissemination, and future growth.

Looking Ahead

This strategic plan represents more than a set of goals; it reflects a shared commitment to the future of AACVPR and the professionals we serve. As the plan moves from vision to action, there will be many ways for members to engage through committees, task forces, quality improvement initiatives, research, advocacy, and education.

The future of AACVPR and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation is bright. I look forward to partnering with you as we bring this plan to life and continue supporting your work to deliver the best possible care for your patients.

Stacey Greenway, AACVPR President for 2025-26, has worked in cardiopulmonary rehab for 25 years.