Cayuga Health, YMCA team up to share resources, offer new services

ITHACA, N.Y. — Cayuga Health and the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County recently formed a collaborative partnership to share resources and “leverage unique assets,” resulting in new services and offerings for the entire community.

YMCAs across the nation are partnering with health-care providers to share resources, “resulting in services with an emphasis on a continuum of care that is convenient and high-quality,” per an Aug. 31 news release from the organizations.

More than half of YMCA facilities across the U.S. (more than 1,200) have forged a partnership with a health-care organization in their communities. 

“We are very pleased to announce this exclusive partnership with our community Y,” Dr. Martin Stallone, president & CEO of Cayuga Health, said. “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 introduce “new and enhanced” programming to the Y’s membership and community through the partnership that will include sports performance and injury-prevention clinics and clinical programs to help patients manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes and arthritis. The goal is to forge a healthier community.

The programming also includes 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; and flu vaccinations, biometric screenings, and nutrition classes.

“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,” Frank Towner, CEO of YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County, said.