Providence Brings Cardiac Rehab Program to Chewelah Hospital

New outpatient unit at St. Joseph's Hospital will provide specialized heart health services for local residents.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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Providence Health has launched a new cardiac rehabilitation program at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chewelah, Washington, providing much-needed services for the local community. The program, made possible by a donation from a former Providence patient, will offer group classes and support to help heart patients recover and manage their conditions.

Why it matters

The new cardiac rehab unit at St. Joseph's will allow elderly and other residents of Chewelah and surrounding communities to access specialized heart health services without having to travel to Spokane, which was previously the closest option. This will improve access to critical post-surgery care and education for heart patients in the region.

The details

The new outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program at St. Joseph's Hospital will provide group classes and support for patients recovering from heart surgery or managing ongoing heart conditions. Patients will receive guidance on physical activity, diet, and emotional well-being to help prevent future heart issues. The program is expected to serve around 37 patients per day once fully operational.

  • The new cardiac rehab unit at St. Joseph's Hospital will begin seeing patients in the coming weeks.
  • Providence ended its orthopedic physical therapy clinic at the hospital eight months ago, leading to concerns the company was scaling back its investment in Chewelah.

The players

St. Joseph's Hospital

A hospital in Chewelah, Washington that is part of the Providence Health system.

Providence Health

A non-profit Catholic health care system that operates hospitals and clinics across the western United States, including St. Joseph's Hospital in Chewelah.

Lu Caudill

A Chewelah resident and former cardiac patient of Providence who donated to help make the new cardiac rehab program at St. Joseph's Hospital possible.

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What they’re saying

“If a patient had their surgery at Sacred Heart, they may choose not to make the drive repeatedly to Spokane to get the care and the education that is so beneficial to their health in the weeks and months after surgery. Now they won't have to make that choice.”

— Shaina Schroeder, Director of Patient Services, St. Joseph's Hospital (The News Tribune)

“We had done some consolidation of some of our therapy services up to Mount Carmel, which was a disappointment to many folks here at St. Joseph's, and I think was perceived as we're walking away from Chewelah. We are not walking away from Chewelah.”

— Susan Stacey, CEO, Providence Inland Northwest (The News Tribune)

“It was always here when I needed it. I think most of the doctors were very, very good and knew what they were doing. The staff was very good too. But it was, it was nearly everything I needed for a long time.”

— Lu Caudill (The News Tribune)

What’s next

The new cardiac rehabilitation program at St. Joseph's Hospital is expected to begin seeing patients in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The launch of this specialized cardiac rehab program at St. Joseph's Hospital in Chewelah will improve access to critical post-surgery care and education for heart patients in the region, allowing them to receive the support they need closer to home.