Local cardiac rehab graduates honor Novant with capitol flag tribute

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY-TV) – Two local participants of Novant Health’s Cardiac Rehabilitation graduate program honored the institute that helped them during recovery.

Betty and Dennis Michaliga reached out to North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis last last year to fly a flag over the North Carolina Capitol building in honor of the Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation team.

Their requests were granted, and the flag was flown over the state capitol on September 19, 2025.

On Friday the flag and its certificate were framed at Novant Health Heart and Vascular Institute in Wilmington.

Dennis said displaying the flag shows great appreciation for all the work the team at Novant has done.

“I just notice, and I think Betty will agree, that the staff here is so helpful about anything and everything. Novant has done an amazing job with all the equipment and facility, but it’s really the people that make it,” said Michaliga.

Staff at the Novant Health Heart and Vascular Institute find the flag more significant thanks to the Michaliga’s history. Betty worked at the pentagon during 911 and Dennis was a first responder.