Northeast Oklahoma Heart Center

At TCH you can rest assured that you and your loved ones will receive the highest quality of cardiac care available, from beginning to end. This is because we offer a complete continuum of cardiac services.

In 2005, TCH partnered with Dr. George Cohlmia to form Northeast Oklahoma Heart Center. This partnership provided cardiovascular and cardiac care not previously offered in Northeast Oklahoma. A new state-of-the-art catheterization lab, operating rooms and critical care beds were built allowing thoracic and vascular procedures to be conducted. In 2006, the first open heart surgery was performed and in 2007 the continuum of care was completed with the development of the Cardiac Rehabilitation unit. This rehab unit offers heart patients in Northeast Oklahoma the opportunity and confidence to return to a healthy lifestyle.

Cardiac Rehabilitation 
In 2007 Tahlequah City Hospital completed the continuum of cardiac care by opening the cardiac rehabilitation unit. This recovery program offers a team-based approach to the health and healing of patients suffering from heart disease. The cardiac rehab program focuses on strengthening the heart muscle and improving cardiovascular fitness. One of the top goals of the program is to help patients return to an active lifestyle.


This program contains three phases:

Phase I: The initial phase begins with education and counseling between the patient and the cardiac rehab staff. Range of motion exercises, some intermittent sitting and standing and, in some cases, walking is the extent of the patient’s physical exertion.

Phase II: Phase two begins approximately three weeks after the patient has gone home from the hospital. These sessions are one hour, three times a week, for 12 weeks, with the physical activity depending on the patient and the cardiac rehab staff’s recommendations.

Phase III: In this final phase, the cardiac rehab staff develops long-term dietary and exercise programs that are tailored to each patient. The patient will still be monitored closely through the coordination of their personal physician and the rehab staff.

Most health insurance policies cover treatment in phases I and II if patients are enrolled between six months to one year after hospitalization following a heart attack, cardiac surgery or coronary angioplasty. Persons suffering from chest pain may also enroll. We will check with your insurance company to verify coverage.

For more information on the Cardiac Services offered at Tahlequah City Hospital, call (918) 453-2175.