By Kate Jacobson | December 20, 2019
Theresa Beckie, PhD, MN, RN, FAHA, FAAN, is the associate dean at the University of South Florida College of Nursing. She is also a professor at the College of Medicine Cardiology at the university. Originally from Canada, she's been in the industry for more than 30 years. She was recently named as a director of AACVPR. News & Views recently sat down with Beckie to discuss how she entered the field of cardiac rehabilitation, her passion for the industry and what she hopes to accomplish as a member of AACVPR's board.
AACVPR: How did you become involved in AACPVR?
Theresa Beckie: When I moved from Canada to Florida, I met a member of AACVPR who introduced me to the organization in 2000. I did my master’s thesis on a telephone-delivered home based cardiac rehabilitation program way back in 1987. It lead to a rewarding career conducting research in the cardiac rehabilitation setting.
AACVPR: Why are you passionate about the field of pulmonary and/or cardiac rehabilitation?
TB: I have conducted research in cardiac rehabilitation for decades and have specifically focused on the secondary prevention needs of women. I became passionate about cardiac rehabilitation as a cardiovascular surgical clinical nurse specialist. Patients would leave the CVICU and I was always curious how the patients recovered and if they improved their health behaviors. And then I discovered the wonderful world of cardiac rehabilitation.
AACVPR: What’s an interesting fact about you most people don’t know?
TB: I grew up with six brothers and sisters on a 2000 acre farm in an idyllic setting in the middle of Saskatchewan. Most people have never heard of Saskatoon!
AACVPR: What do you hope to accomplish during your tenure on the Board of Directors?
TB: I hope to contribute to the development of policies, procedures, and guidelines delivering home-based cardiac rehabilitation to those who cannot participate in the traditional programs. I am concerned about the patients who do not have access to these important programs.