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 and the Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington.

Each post-op patient receives a special heart-shaped pillow, made by the Chapter’s many volunteers, as well as 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.

Internet Visiting

Chapter 200's accredited hospital visitors participate in Mended Heart's nationwide Internet Visiting Program. The program is designed to allow heart patients and their family members the opportunity to send e-mail inquiries to a central e-mail address staffed by an MH volunteer. This volunteer then broadcasts the inquiry to all of the accredited visitors who are part of the Internet Visiting Program. If the Internet visitor feels she/he can offer some practical advice (non-medical advice) that visitor will reply directly to the person making the inquiry.

The Internet Visiting Program is a great way for people seeking practical advice to benefit from the array of heart-related experiences of MH's members. It's free and in most instances, the person making an inquiry has multiple responses within days.

To take advantage of the Internet Visiting Program, draft your inquiry and e-mail it to Gerry Harrelson (goheart@knology.net). Be sure to include your return e-mail address and keep your inquiries brief and to the point.

Two examples appear below.

Mary Doe
(e-mail address)

John Doe
(e-mail address)

Accredited Hospital, Phone and Internet Visitors

The following list by facility of the Chapter’s accredited visitors includes names, telephone numbers and, where available, e-mail addresses.