Heart Month Staff Spotlight
Meet Robert Halicky, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

How long have you been at Trumbull Regional Medical Center?
I’ve been at Trumbull Regional Medical Center for seven years.
 
Where did you attend school?
I earned my undergraduate degree in exercise science with a minor in nutrition from Youngstown State
University. From there, I completed a Maters in exercise science from Cleveland State University.
 
What inspired you to get into this field?
The inspiration came from my grandmother. In 2004, she had 4-way bypass open heart surgery at East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry, Ohio, which led me to do my internship there. Once that happened, I knew it was the right fit. I was able to utilize all aspects of my education, interact with people, help them exercise safely – I really got to experience all the elements of clinical exercise physiology and knew that’s what I wanted to do. 

What are some of your responsibilities?
The Cardiac Rehabilitation Program is centered around the patient and includes individualized treatment plans and education based on their individual risk factors and exercise assessments. Primarily, I supervise patients during all three phases of cardiac rehabilitation. Exercise is the cornerstone of their treatment but there is also a strong emphasis on assessing their risk factors and providing them with education to promote behavior change so that they can improve their overall health.
 
What are some highlights from your career?
Getting the Cardiac Rehabilitation Program Nationally certified is certainly a tremendous accomplishment.
Everything gets looked at under the microscope. The program certification is designed to review individual facilities for their adherence to standards and guidelines developed and published by the AACVPR and other professional societies. It ensures our patients that we are adhering to best practices. We are recognized as leaders in our field because of our commitment to improving the quality of life of our patients by enhancing standards of care.
Another career highlight is witnessing the growth of the program. We’ve had a 118% increase in terms of patients seen, going from 85 in 2012 to 185 in 2018. We’re impacting more people and that’s a testament to our commitment of producing a high-level of quality care.  
On a personal level, I was one of the first 300 applicants to successfully pass the Certified Cardiac Rehabilitation Professional (CCRP) certification in the country, and I’m extremely proud of that accomplishment.
 
What do you like to do for fun?
I’m a family man, no question about it. Spending time with my son and wife is something I love to do. I’m also a big Notre Dame and Dallas Cowboys fan. I go to at least one or two home games a year at Notre Dame with friends I met at YSU.
 
What’s something people don’t know about you?
In 2011, I qualified as a national level amateur bodybuilder.
 
What do you enjoy the most about working in the Cardiac Rehab Program at TRMC?
Interacting with the patients, educating them, and watching them reach their goals over the 8-12-week period that I get to see them. I love what I do and I am proud to be a small part of the Cardiac Rehab team!