Center for Healthy Living
The Center for Healthy Living provides a full menu of programs and outreach geared towards helping people live healthier lives and avoid medical problems that may be unknowingly present.  These services are offered at both Hilton Head Hospital and Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center.

For more information about our wellness outreach & screenings contact Jen Wright, Clinical Coordinator Wellness and Cardiac Rehab or call 1-877-582-2737.


Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
Diabetes Education
Smoking Cessation Program
Supervised Exercise Program
PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) Program
Medical Nutrition Therapy
Medically Supervised Weight Loss - Healthy Living
Heart Health Screenings


Cardiac Rehabilitation Program
This is a comprehensive program for people who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease, have had a heart attack, or have undergone treatment such as coronary artery bypass graft surgery or angioplasty within the past year.  A team of professionals including a physician, nurses, exercise physiologists, and registered dietitians work together to restore and maintain optimal physiological, psychological, social, and emotional well-being.  While in this program most people are monitored on telemetry while exercising. The goal is not only to assist with recovery from cardiac events, but also to prevent future events by focusing on risk reduction. Medicare covers cardiac rehab for up to twelve weeks for people who have had a heart attack, bypass surgery, angioplasty, stent or a diagnosis of stable angina. Other insurance coverage varies.   

Diabetes Education
This program is designed to teach people how to successfully manage their Diabetes.  A Certified Diabetes Educator, along with a team of nurses, exercise physiologists and Registered Dietitians, provide training on proper nutrition, blood glucose monitoring, physical activity, stress management, and preventing diabetic complications.  This is primarily recommended for those who have been recently diagnosed with Diabetes, recently prescribed insulin, or poorly controlled Diabetics. Elizabeth Huggins, RD, CDE, MESS, the Diabetes Coordinator, is also a Certified Insulin Pump Trainer.                 

Smoking Cessation
Trained instructor applies guidelines from the American Heart Assoc. and American Lung Assoc. to assist people with quitting smoking. Smokers identified in the hospital when admitted with Pneumonia or CHF are strongly encouraged to attend this class. It is also marketed for those in the community who want to decrease their risk for heart disease and other diseases. For more information or to register call 689-8285.

Supervised Exercise Program
Exercise Physiologists provide guidance, motivation, and accountability to assist people with developing an exercise program for weight loss, risk factor modification and/or to achieve other personal goals.  The program is comparable to having personal training in a group setting at a more affordable price. Risk reduction education is also provided. 

PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease) Program
The appropriate amount of cardiovascular exercise promotes collateral circulation in the affected extremities therefore decreasing pain and increasing mobility in people suffering from peripheral vascular disease.  In this program Exercise Physiologists prescribe exercise programs designed to accomplish this goal resulting in improved circulation and improved quality of life.                             

Medical Nutrition Therapy
This is a one-on-one consultation with a Registered Dietitian to address nutrition issues that are affecting one’s health (i.e. morbid obesity, renal insufficiency, Coumadin diet, etc.).

Medically supervised weight loss - Healthy Living Weight Loss Program
This program is for those who are seeking a safe program with guidance and accountability to assist with losing weight. The goal of this program is to prevent heart disease and diabetes and the need for the above programs; however it can also compliment the cardiac rehab and diabetes programs. This multi-disciplinary comprehensive approach to a healthy lifestyle is coordinated by a team of professionals including a weight loss counselor, exercise physiologist, and a registered dietitian. This team works together to develop an individualized program to help achieve weight loss goals and, more importantly, risk factor reduction goals as directed by physician referral.  For more information or to register call 689-8285.

Heart Health Screenings Screenings
Screenings are offered regularly for the public, either at the hospital or in the community, to help people identify risk factors for heart disease, diabetes and other chronic illnesses.  Early detection leads to better treatment options and better quality of life.  Cardiac risk screenings include assessment of cholesterol, blood glucose, and blood pressure along with activity level, family history and other factors which lead contribute to heart disease.

Cardiac screenings are offered the first Thursday of every month at the LifeSpan Building on Hilton Head Island and the second Thursday of the month at Bluffton-Okatie Outpatient Center.  For more information or to register call 1-877-582-2737.