ITHACA, N.Y.—New services could be coming to Tompkins County soon, the result of a partnership between the YMCA of Ithaca and Cayuga Health System that was announced last week.
Partnerships between YMCAs and health care providers are becoming more and more common, though this is the first official partnership between the Y and Cayuga Health. The YMCA in Ithaca has formed partnerships before to expand its offerings and help local organizations.
“We are very pleased to announce this exclusive partnership with our community Y,” said Dr. Martin Stallone, President & CEO of Cayuga Health. “It is mutually beneficial to both mission-driven organizations to partner in the community we want to enhance, and to continue to be leaders in the Community Health Movement.”
The agreement will include the following, using resources from both entities:
- Sports performance and injury-prevention clinics
- Clinical programs to help patients manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes and arthritis.
- Expanded prevention and education services such as influenza clinics, wellness screenings. and health talks
- Active older adult education classes – focusing on senior health and wellness
- Flu vaccinations, biometric screenings, and nutrition classes
“I began my relationship with our YMCA as a volunteer in 1994, and am very proud of how far it has come since its inception in 1868 on the Cornell University campus,” states Frank Towner, CEO, YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County. “The YMCA’s vision is to create facilities that are far more than fitness or child-care centers. We are looking forward to a whole new level of benefits that this partnership with Cayuga Health will bring to our YMCA members, Cayuga employees and to the community.”
Mentioned in the press release, the YMCA’s physical space will be utilized and seems to represent a significant portion of their end of the partnership, as well as the infrastructure for classes and fitness regimens. It has two indoor swimming pools, a full size gymnasium, a racquetball court, a nutrition center, weight rooms, fitness studios and more, plus childcare.