By Daryl Buchanan | News & Views
Janine Downey, MS, CCRP, a senior exercise physiologist at Emerson Hospital, was introduced to synchronized swimming as a child. It quickly became a hobby that evolved into a competitive sport in high school and college. The skills she learned during this time would form the foundation for a career in the cardiac rehabilitation field.
“Synchronized swimming has always been a huge part of my life. I started at 8 years old. I got competitive in high school and even joined a travel team. I continued to swim at Wheaton College for undergrad at the varsity level,” explains Downey.
“I was also head coach for a swimming team in Worcester, Massachusetts, for a little while. Swimming has really shaped how I view exercise and led me to the career I have now.”
While studying biology as an undergrad at Wheaton College, Downey discovered a passion for biomechanical research. She went on to pursue her master’s degree at Northeastern University in an exercise science program that was a combination of clinical exercise physiology and public health.
Post-grad degree in hand, Downey began an internship in the cardiac rehabilitation department at MetroWest Medical Center. “I really enjoyed working with the patients during my internship. I developed a love for connecting with people and helping them with their exercise and recovery. It was similar to my time as a coach in Worcester,” says Downey.
“The goals may be different, but the coaching is still similar. A part of the work is meeting people where they are. And that’s what I enjoy the most,” she added.
Following that internship, Downey worked at a stress testing lab and heart monitoring clinic at the University of Massachusetts before taking an open position at Emerson Hospital that gave her the opportunity to focus on cardiac rehabilitation once again.
She adds, “We have a large patient volume from different backgrounds here. I’ve learned so much from them. It has been a joy to help people return to the physical activities they love doing.”
Her background in swimming has been useful when navigating patients through their rehabilitation. Downey has helped patients who regularly swam as part of their exercise plans. She says basic knowledge of swimming movements and the range of motion for the body has helped determine if some patients are ready to advance in their rehabilitation.
In addition to helping patients and tapping into her knowledge of swimming, Downey credits her colleagues as a reason she loves the cardiac rehabilitation field. She says that at Emerson Hospital a social worker, dietitian, nurses, and exercise physiologists all work together to provide care for patients, adding that teamwork helps deliver positive outcomes.
“We all have our specialties, and we work to help patients from different angles. I really like that. I learn a lot from people,” explains Downey. “I’ve learned so much more about cardiology from the nurses on our team. I’ve grown a lot more confident since I started here.”
“I’m passionate about what I do because it is more than just checking boxes,” she continues. “It’s a whole lifestyle approach, which again goes back to the coaching aspect of my job. I really enjoy training people.”
That coaching and training also includes helping student interns in her department learn more about cardiac rehabilitation and how to be an effective exercise physiologist. In addition, since joining Emerson Hospital, she started a strength training program for patients that complete their cardiac rehabilitation recovery.
Downey and a colleague lead the class twice a week for about 10 patients. She is often joined by a nurse or another exercise physiologist. In these settings is where teamwork becomes critical. Downey explains that it can be challenging to ensure each patient is progressing at a good pace.
“If we find someone is falling a bit behind, we will brainstorm ways to help them get back on track. It can be a lot of work but the class has been a lot of fun. I feel like I can really tap into my passions, which again, are teaching the exercises and working closely with patients,” Downey said.
She says getting more involved in the academia side of cardiac rehabilitation will continue to be a career focal point. “I know the work that we do is very niche and getting more exercise physiologists in the field has been a big push nationally. I think there’s a lot of people who enjoy exercise that don’t even know this is a career option,” states Downey.
“Working to raise awareness about the rewarding nature of the work we do and helping prepare students for a career in cardiac rehabilitation is important for me. I’ve noticed since my early adulthood my focus has always come back to coaching and leading. I’m very drawn to leadership roles and working within a health care community.”