Two FellowshipLIFE Communities Earn American Heart Association Heart Failure Certification
November 1, 2026
BASKING RIDGE, N.J. — Fellowship Village and Applewood Village, two FellowshipLIFE Life Plan Communities in New Jersey, have earned Skilled Nursing Facility Heart Failure Certification from the American Heart Association.
The AHA certification recognizes skilled nursing facilities that follow evidence-based guidelines for heart failure care, including clinical management, care coordination, patient and caregiver education and quality improvement.
To qualify, facilities must implement a standardized heart failure care program based on current clinical guidelines. The certification is designed to promote consistent care practices and support efforts to reduce preventable hospital readmissions.
Nearly one in four heart failure patients is readmitted to the hospital within 30 days of discharge, while approximately half are readmitted within six months, according to figures cited in the announcement. An estimated quarter of readmissions may be preventable.
“Participation in this certification benefits the patient and the community by standardizing care practices,” said Cory Woods, volunteer chair of the AHA’s Quality Certification Business Management Committee and assistant chief clinical officer at Rockport Healthcare Services. “When there are clear processes during every phase of care, patients have the best opportunity for positive outcomes.”
Laura Sharp, vice president of clinical operations at FellowshipLIFE, said the certification supports the organization’s efforts to provide evidence-based care to residents and patients recovering from hospitalization.
“Heart failure patients need high-quality care after leaving the hospital that follows evidence-based guidelines, giving them the best chance to improve their health,” Sharp said. “The American Heart Association has armed us with additional tools and recognized our success. It is an honor to have our processes and efforts recognized in this way.”
The AHA’s Skilled Nursing Facility Heart Failure Certification is available to eligible facilities throughout the United States and its territories.
For more information, visit www.Heart.org/CertifiedCare.
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