Dundy County Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation with Brett Palmer

Recovering from a heart condition can feel like a daunting challenge. For two recent graduates of Dundy County Hospital’s Cardiac Rehab program, the journey was nothing short of life changing.

“This program helped me relax and eliminated my fears after surgery,” one patient said.

Another celebrated, “My legs got stronger. I don’t need my walker anymore and I’m not as short of breath.”

Brett Palmer serves as the Director of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab for the hospital. Brett arrived at his health care career in a roundabout way. He first worked as assistant manager at a grain elevator in Kansas for twenty years.

“Scooping grain is a young man’s game. And I’m not such a young man anymore,” he said.

He then became a first responder working as an EMT. From there, “healthcare just kind of got a hold on me.” When the opportunity to go through respiratory therapy school came, he applied and was accepted — along with his oldest son. They went through school and traveled to clinical training sites together, graduating in 2013.

For Brett, seeing patients healing and doing well inspires him every day. He knows that without the Dundy County program, their nearest service access may be an hour away.

He likes to keep the mood light during rehab training.

“It’s fun for me. It’s fun for them,” he said. That social aspect pushes patients to work a little harder, and makes the time go by a little faster. “When they lose track of time, they don’t even realize that they’re exercising.”

Patients say support from the rehab team played a crucial role in their success.

“The team was incredible. They explained everything in detail and made the process enjoyable,” one patient shared.

Another patient agreed. “They were so encouraging and pushed me to be better.”

Since completing the program, both patients have committed to maintaining their progress by staying active and making healthier lifestyle choices. They continue their rehab independently at the local fitness center, enjoying the camaraderie and encouragement from one another.

“The physical work gave me more energy,” one patient shared.

What advice would these patients give to someone considering cardiac rehab? Simple. “Do it! You’ll feel better and it’s worth it.”

And Brett will be there to help when they do.

“I love rural health,” he said, “because we’re caring for the people that we know.”

Brett Palmer
Director of Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Dundy County Hospital
Benkelman, Nebraska