By Staff | News & Views

Whether or not to be in Washington, D.C., for Day on the Hill (DOTH) this March wasn’t even a question for Pennsylvania’s Jill Fox, RN-BC, BSN, FAACVPR, who is coordinator of cardiovascular and pulmonary rehabilitation at UPMC Somerset. That’s because she recognizes that her voice — especially combined with those of her counterparts in other states — matters. Including this most recent trip, Fox has taken part in AACVPR’s annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill 15 times! This year, in a first, she captured key moments from her experience and shared them with News & Views:

March 5, 2024

7:33 a.m. The day starts bright and early … okay, maybe not that bright — it was raining and dreary, unfortunately — but definitely early. By 7:30 a.m., Jill is ready to hit the ground running.

Jill Fox is all smiles before checking out of the Yours Truly Hotel.

8:00 a.m.  The first order of business is to rally with the rest of the three-person “delegation” representing the Tri-State Society of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation, which encompasses Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. Jill, a past president of TSSCVPR, is joined by current TSSCVPR President Pam Lowe, BS, RTT, who is lead pulmonary rehab specialist with Beebe Healthcare in Delaware. The last member of their party is AACVPR Board Member Ruth Akers, RN, BSN, MS, FAACVPR, who directs cardiovascular imaging services and cardiac rehab services at Bryn Mawr Hospital and Main Line Health in Pennsylvania and is also actively involved with TSSCVPR.

With their hotel fewer than five miles from the Hill, the ladies have time for a quick pit stop before descending on the Russell Senate Office Building, one of three structures allocated to the upper chamber of Congress. Other AACVPR members are already assembling at Smithbucklin’s D.C. headquarters to fellowship over a hot, hearty breakfast that will supply some energy for what no doubt will be an active day! After serving up a quick round of hugs, smiles, introductions, and encouragement, the TSSCVPR team finally hop in an Uber and set off for their destination.

As they wait in the Russell Building for the first appointment of the day, Jill is flanked by Ruth Akers (left) and Pam Lowe (right).

9:00 a.m. Time to get down to business! Jill and company arrive at the Russell Building ready for their first appointment of the day. Their scheduled time will be spent with Mariah Baker, Health Legislative Aide for Pennsylvania Sen. Bob Casey. While meetings take place anywhere space is available — in members’ office, outside in the courtyards, and even in hallways — Baker has snagged space in the room typically reserved for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. How poetic! After promoting AACVPR’s legislative asks, Jill memorializes the meeting with a quick flick on the way out the door.

Jill stands outside “the room where it happens!”

9:51 a.m. The next appointment is on the House side of the Capitol. This time, the group is making their pitch to a staffer for Rep. John Joyce, another Pennsylvania legislator. Getting there requires a short walk across the plaza that separates the House and Senate buildings. The rain is lingering, but a little drizzle has never shut down the seat of the nation’s power — and it won’t deter these three, either! (They knew to wear comfortable shoes.) And besides, it’s a perfect opportunity to snap a pic in front of the Capitol Building!  

Against an otherwise gray backdrop, Jill’s trusty umbrella offers a pop of color as she poses for an iconic shot.

10:30 a.m. Jill, Pam, and Ruth are prompt, as usual, for their meeting with Parker Bennett, Rep. Joyce’s senior legislative assistant, who is kind enough to join Jill in a photo outside the lawmaker’s office in the Cannon Building. There’s still one more Pennsylvania legislator’s office to visit — that of Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, whose quarters are nestled inside Longworth, the next building over. Although the rain is starting to lighten up, there’s no need to venture back outside. The TSSCVPR crew simply uses the underground walkways that Capitol Hill is famous for to move to their next-to-last destination. Although the tunnels are a time-saver, there’s plenty of wiggle room to get there by 11:30 a.m.

A photo op with Parker Bennett from the office of Rep. James Joyce (PA).

12:00 p.m. Finally, it’s time for the last meeting, with Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware — who, conveniently, is also located inside Longworth. There’s a level of uncertainty hanging in the air, due to a tight schedule in this office today. That the TSSCVPR team will get a few minutes of time is not guaranteed, but staff have promised to try to squeeze them in.

It’s a big deal for Pam, who — unlike Jill and Ruth — is wrapping up her very first DOTH experience. The veteran attendees from Pennsylvania spent the morning showing her the ropes, but as the AACVPR/TSSCVPR member from tiny Delaware, this is her big moment. Although Pam will take the lead, she won’t go in alone. Jill has her back, and they both emerge from the Rep’s closed door with relieved smiles on their faces.

Pam Lowe, outside her Member’s office, officially ending her first Day on the Hill.

12:30 p.m. And, now, they have done what they said they were going to do. Based on years of navigating the event, Jill and Ruth planned the meetings strategically and efficiently, to make the most out of a few hours of time. They came, they saw, they conquered! And now, they can head back to their respective states, to continue the CR/PR advocacy work from there.