Our father was an active member of the Cardiac Rehab program at St Mary's for over ten years. Initially, he came for follow-up rehab after placement of a stent, but he continued as a private pay participant twice a week for most of the last 10+ years. There is no question in our minds that Jill and her staff made a meaningful difference in the life of our dad. She added active years to his life. He has gone through several serious surgeries and recovered from numerous illnesses over these years, but there is no way he could have regained his health the way he did without Jill. She helped our dad maintain his strength and mobility allowing him to live a vibrant and full life right to the end.

Until February of this year, he still took part in Cardiac Rehab twice a week, but he also worked a part-time job twice a week, still lived at home, and did a lot of the yardwork himself. He fell in February and fractured his hip. He was in St Mary's Hospital for a couple of weeks and then Hickory Point Christian Village for about 6 weeks. After returning home for only a week, he developed severe pancreatitis and had to go back to hospital, have his gall bladder removed, and then back to HPCC for several more weeks. Jill stayed in touch and visited our dad throughout. And she got him back in rehab as soon as she could . . . supporting and encouraging him as she always did. In fact, he celebrated his 100th birthday in June this year. And Jill had a big party for him at Cardiac Rehab, inviting many previous members that have worked out together in past years! He had a blast!!

Our dad was pretty much back to his pre-fall condition in July. He was active and engaged in life again. He had been able to attend the Millikin Girls Softball tournament in Indiana and go out to lunch with friends and family. He was cooking his own dinners again and he was happy. He went to Cardiac Rehab with Jill on Tues. Unfortunately, he fell again on Wednesday, this time requiring surgery and experiencing difficulties in recovery. It was just all too much for his 100-year-old body, and he passed away at St Mary's in August.

There is no way we can adequately thank Jill for all she did for our dad. She encouraged, supported, and motivated him for over ten years to build strength, mobility, balance, and overall fitness. When he was sick or in the hospital, she checked on him and visited him. When he was no longer able to drive, she stopped and picked him up on her way to work every Tues and Thurs. When we needed to add some metal railings on the front stoop for him, Jill connected us with someone who could install it. From everything we have learned, this is not an unusual situation. Jill truly cares about all her rehab members and goes above and beyond for each of them. Jill is a truly exceptional person and an exceptional director of cardiac rehab.