Visiting Program
The Northern Virginia Chapter 200 hospital visiting program is the centerpiece of the Chapter’s activities. Relying on member volunteers who complete a training program and an annual re-accreditation session, Chapter 200’s visitors — who themselves are open-heart alumni — average 300 pre-op and post-op visits each month with patients and their families at Inova Heart and Vascular Institute at Fairfax Hospital, the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington, and the DC Veterans Administration Hospital.
Each post-op patient with a sternotomy receives a special heart-shaped pillow, made by the Chapter’s many volunteers. All patients receive informative literature, a copy of the Chapter newsletter, Web site information, and information on Mended Hearts. Over 100 pillows are distributed each month by our visitors. Chapter 200 is proud of its Visiting Program and its visiting accomplishments.