Methodist Hospitals and the Valparaiso Family YMCA have forged a revolutionary partnership to deliver wellness and other medical services to residents of the Porter County area.
This partnership furthers Methodist Hospitals’ goal to establish a presence in Valparaiso and Porter County while fulfilling the YMCA’s strategic plan to provide expanded health and wellness services.
“Our missions are very closely aligned and centered on a strong commitment to building healthy families and communities,” said Ian McFadden, president and CEO of Methodist Hospitals.
Methodist was chosen by the Valparaiso Family YMCA after an extensive selection process to find a health care provider that would embrace its mission while also realizing the possibilities this kind of partnership would bring to the community.
“Methodist really came out on top,” said Valparaiso Family YMCA CEO Bob Wanek. “It has a lot to do with their mission, their leadership, and attitudes about quality service. There is a lot of enthusiasm and a strong commitment to cutting edge medicine.”
McFadden says that the partnership fits perfectly with Methodist Hospital’s commitment to healthcare in the region.
“Our ultimate goal is to change the way health care is delivered in Northwest Indiana. This partnership is a significant step toward achieving that goal,” McFadden said.
In the program’s initial phase, Methodist will administer health screenings, risk assessments, support groups, classes and physician seminars, plus programs to help prevent and manage chronic conditions such as obesity and diabetes.
Onsite services will include cardiac rehabilitation, physical therapy and employee assistance programs. Methodist will also station a primary care and sports certified physician, Dr. Hiren Italia, at the Valparaiso Family YMCA.
The menu of services are expected to expand over time, including the addition of specialty care, complementary medicine and an eventual YMCA building addition to house physician offices.
With more than 50 corporate members, the Valparaiso Family YMCA sees the potential for providing off-site screenings, educational programs and preventive care to local businesses.
The Valparaiso YMCA, whose membership numbers 15,000, was specifically designed for this kind of partnership.
“People are much more educated about their health needs these days. We wanted to accommodate those folks, and knew at some point we would need to attract a very significant healthcare partner, like Methodist Hospitals, join us and provide these services,” said Wanek.
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