Melissa Tracy MD has created (3) successful cardiac rehabilitation programs. At Rush, she is the Systems Medical Director for Cardiac Rehabilitation. Dr.Tracy is described as an agile paradigm shifter. During the pandemic, she launched a virtual cardiac rehabilitation program which provides patients with a choice. Dr.Tracy has lectured nationally and internationally on the topic, benefits, and future of CR. She has been a resourceful and knowledgeable participant and contributor to the ACC Prevention Committee for several years and the ACC Cardiac Rehabilitation workgroup. Dr. Tracy was a key contributor to the ACC webinar on cardiac rehabilitation. She utilized her insightful expertise while being a member of the NIH Special emphasis study group on R61/R33 Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation grants. Dr. Tracy received the RUSH Faculty Innovator Award for her tenacious devotion to cardiac rehabilitation. She has authored several manuscripts relative to cardiac rehabilitation.