Central Vermont Medical Center announced that Catherine Fetten, RN has been hired as Cardiology Operations Supervisor. “Cathy’s extensive work in cardiology nursing makes her a perfect fit for the job,” stated Judy Tarr, CVMC president and CEO.
Cathy earned her first degree at UVM, a BA in Psychology. She worked in Rehabilitation Services at CVMC in the late 90s, as a rehab aide, working with arthritis patients in the aqua therapy program and sometimes with pulmonary rehab patients. She took time off to attend nursing school and received her BSN from Norwich University. While in school she often filled in at CVMC in the stress lab and cardiac rehab, and loved cardiology. After graduation she worked in the cardiology step-down unit at Fletcher Allen Health Care.
“I really enjoy working at CVMC,” stated Cathy. “The team in the cardiopulmonary gym and at Central Vermont Cardiology are a terrific group to work with. I like having one-on-one teaching time with patients, helping them with healthy behaviors, diet and exercise.”
The CVMC cardiopulmonary gym works with post bypass patients generally at six weeks after surgery and stent patients about a week after the procedure. Patients come to rehab three times a week for six to 12 weeks. Here they are placed on cardiac monitors and work with a nurse. Most insurance covers this stage of rehab. Often patients continue with a phase 3 maintenance program which meets two times a week and is closely supervised by a registered nurse. Phase 3 is not covered by insurance but patients like the reassurance of having a nurse in the room when they exercise.