I would like to take the opportunity to recognize the new officers, board members, and committee chairpersons who will be serving the AACVPR membership for 2002-2003. Congratulations and gratitude goes out to these leaders in the field of cardiopulmonary rehabilitation for their continued service to AACVPR. These individuals are available to the membership and welcome communication. Please refer to the AACVPR Web site (http://www.aacvpr.org) for their contact information.

-Terri Merritt-Worden

Board of Directors

President: John Porcari, PhD

President Elect: Karen Lui, RN, MS

Vice President: Trina Limberg, BS, RRT

Executive Committee Member-at-Large: Larry F. Hamm, PhD

Affiliate Society Representative: Candace J. Steel, BSN, MA

Exercise Physiologist Steven W. Litchman, EdD

Exercise Rehabilitation Specialist: Lori Turner, BSN

Physical Therapist: Dennis C. Sobush, MA, PT

Pulmonary Physician: Laura Peno-Green, MD

Respiratory Therapist: June Schulz, RRT

Member-at-Large: Kathleen Ritter, RN,C, RN

Committee Chairpersons

Awards and Tributes: Carl King EdD, Chair

Publications: Larry F. Hamm, PhD, Chair

Membership: Jane Nelson Worel, RN, MS, Co-Chair; June Schulz, RRT, Co-Chair

Nominating: Carl King, EdD, Chair

Outcomes: Bonnie Sanderson, PhD, RN, Co-Chair; Phillip Hoberty, Co-Chair

Research: Carl Foster, PhD, Chair

Reimbursement Committee: Lana Hilling, RCP, Chair

Program Committee: Karen Lui, RN, MS, Chair

Program Recertification: Robin Cuffe, RNc, MA, Chair

WEB SITES TO WATCH

Sue Keller, MPH, BSN

Although the World Wide Web is an endless source of information, Internet search engines can deliver unreliable, questionable, or even obscure sponsored results, making a search more harmful than beneficial. For a reliable, informative, and unbiased search engine, use "google.com"(http://www.google.com), which typically provides reliable results and clearly identifies sponsored sites. To access the latest scientific information in published peer-reviewed journals, turn to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) site Pubmed (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi), which contains scientific abstracts and, occasionally, full text articles free of charge. Patients seeking information on health-related topics can be directed to NIH's Medline Web site (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus) for in-depth, reliable, and accurate healthcare information.

Now more than ever may be the time to purchase a personal digital assistant (PDA), also known as a "pocket planner" or "handheld mini computer." Prices on PDA's are decreasing, while capabilities are increasing. Better yet, many useful medical Palm OS software programs are available on the Internet and can be downloaded free of charge. The particular drug reference program worth downloading is "ePocrates" (http://www.epocrates.com). This drug reference software program provides access to drug information by either drug name or class. The ePocrates program contains information on drug dosing, contraindications, drug interactions, adverse reactions, and algorithms for BCLS and ACLS protocols. The ePocrates site can also send the latest drug advisories by e-mail.

Other free health-related Palm OS programs relating to heart and lung diseases are located on the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) Web site (http://hin.nhlnbi.nih.gov/palmapps.htm). Programs available include the following: Act in Time to Heart Attack Signs-Physician Quick Reference Tool, COPD Guidelines Tool, Asthma Treatment Guidelines, Obesity Treatment Guidelines, and the ATP III Cholesterol Management Implementation Tool.

If you do not have time to surf the Web but want the latest information on heart, lung, and blood diseases e-mailed to you, join the NHLBI Health Information Network (HIN) (http://hp2010.nhlbihin.net/joinhin/index.asp). Unlike many Web sites that require personal information, the HIN only asks for your e-mail address and guarantees your e-mail address will not be shared with any third party providers. Once you have signed up, you will be notified of the latest research findings, clinical advisories, and educational materials available from the NHLBI.

If you know of any interesting Web sites or Internet tools that would be of interest to cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation professionals, contact [email protected].

Sue Keller is the Partnership Leader for the NHLBI National Cholesterol Education Program.