Meet the NCCRA Board – Mary Ann Compton, Secretary
Mary Ann Compton
UNC Hospitals
Chapel Hill, NC
Mary.Compton@unchealth.unc.edu
Tell us what led you to run for the position on the NCCRA Board of Directors
My involvement on the Board of Directors was initiated by my supervisor when she was serving as the NCCRA president. The position of secretary became open under her tenure, so she asked if I was interested. I must say that I was very hesitant at first, because I knew that there would be a significant time-commitment. However, my supervisor had never led me astray, and she assured me that it would be a good experience for me. As per usual, she was right!
While I was a bit intimated at first, I soon became swept up in the energy and enthusiasm that the board members had for Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehab and for NCCRA. And I quickly realized that I was making connections with colleagues in a way that I had not prior to my participation on the board. We were able to share ideas and collaborate on a regular basis. I no longer went to the symposium intimidated by the number of people I didn’t know but had connections with other board members and their teams in turn. Additionally, as secretary, being responsible for the registration process has allowed me to put a face with names and connect with members by phone or email.
Please provide a bio highlighting special training, skills or hobbies that you bring to your profession and the board of directors. Please focus on the professional qualifications and strengths.
I have worked in Cardiac Rehab for over 20 years. I have primarily worked at UNC Hospitals Cardiac Rehab as a Clinical Exercise Physiologist but have also worked in programs in Nebraska and Oklahoma as I followed by husband’s US Air Force assignments. I feel the experience of working in programs of different sizes and stages of development has been beneficial to my career. I completed a Master of Arts in Exercise Physiology at UNC (way back when!) and have both the CCEP and CCRP certifications. My current role is Program Director at UNC Hospitals Cardiac Rehab.
I’m not sure that I have any special skills that I bring to the table as secretary, other than a commitment to the team and organization and a desire to do my part. The NCCRA has a proud history. We owe a huge debt to our predecessors who worked hard to establish the organization that has been a model for others across the country. And I feel that we have a responsibility to sustain and build the organization so that it stays strong for the future.
Describe the direction that you would like NCCRA to take in the future and what part you would like to take in that journey
We all know that COVID has changed our world. Prior to 2020, home-based cardiac rehabilitation was just a thought. Now virtual or hybrid programs could play a large part in our future. Through my years of experience, I’ve seen cardiac rehab, once more like an after-thought in the minds of physicians, become so well-supported by the medical community. I would like to see NCCRA continue to be a vital resource for our programs as we all navigate the future of cardiac and pulmonary rehab.
What are your interests outside of work?
Outside of work, you can find me running, reading, spending time with my family, or going to the beach. If I’m able to do the first three on the list AT the beach, then I’m in a perfect world!
The Board looks forward to “seeing you” at the upcoming NCCRA symposium. For more information please visit https://nccraonline.org/news/2022-nccra-virtual-symposium-agenda-registration-and-brochure/