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Memorial Award
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Jana Webb Memorial Award
On September 22, 2012, AACVPR and SACPR lost one of its longtime members, Jana Webb, to brain cancer. Jana was a dedicated cardiac and pulmonary rehab professional and will be missed by many. |
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Jana completed her master's degree in Exercise Science at the University of Southern Mississippi and worked in Wellness/Fitness in Madison then cardiopulmonary rehab at River Region in Vicksburg. She traveled back and forth from Madison to Vicksburg so she could work “where her heart was.” Not long after, she had her first seizure, which began her tumor/cancer battle. But she never gave up. She had brain surgery that left her partially paralyzed and never let on that she had a disability. She just kept looking ahead, being positive and making plans to stay involved in the profession. Even when her husband took a job in New York so that she could focus on getting better and wouldn't have to work, she still wanted to be doing something that made a difference. She took a job helping with the exercise part of Breast Cancer research at the University of Rochester Medical Center.
Over the past year, her mobility declined, but she still kept working. She was planning to come to AACVPR that year in Orlando, but the tumor wasn't responding to medicine anymore, and unfortunately she wasn't able to attend. Jana served a term as President of SACPR and as the Mississippi State Rep on the Board for many years. She was a passionate advocate for Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab patients and traveled to Washington DC for DOTH several times. Jana was also active on AACVPR committees and achieved Fellow status in 2007.
Her leadership, quick wit, and passion for her chosen field and patients will not be forgotten. As her husband Brad stated, "She’s probably leading aerobics in Heaven." But for most of us, it was her friendship that we will miss the most. Rest in peace, Jana.
Contributed by: Kathe Briggs, MS, CES, FAACVPR, East Alabama Medical Center
“Jana was a mainstay at SACPR & AACVPR annual meetings and her smile, laugh and fun-loving nature will be missed by all of us. Her professional accomplishments are too many to list, but suffice it to say, to me, she was the “eternal” Mississippi rep on the SACPR board and a steady link to our National organization.” - Kathe Briggs.
As a tribute to Jana and her dedication to the organization, the decision was made to rename the outstanding service scholarship in her honor. The criteria for this scholarship is “remarkable leadership skills and a commitment to our organization and its members”.
The recipient of the scholarship will receive one FREE registration to the AACVPR conference.