The boards of both Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Meeting Waters YMCA have given the green light to forge ahead with a new health initiative for the community. The joint venture between the two important community services will provide medical, fitness, and community health services within the new YMCA complex to be built on the former Northeast Cooperatives property just off Putney Road.

Utilizing the strengths of each organization in a complementary manner, BMH and the Y will work together in addressing the documented community need to improve the health status and chronic care challenges of people in our mutual areas. Both groups will seek to improve community health through fitness, wellness, prevention, education, and rehabilitative services. They will focus on engaging and supporting “health seekers” — the 45-55% of area residents who are committed to a healthier lifestyle, but who need ongoing guidance and support to overcome barriers that have led to inactivity, unhealthy lifestyle choices and chronic health challenges such as diabetes and heart conditions.

In their Wellness & Prevention Center, BMH will provide physical therapy / rehabilitation, sports medicine (orthopedics), cardiac rehabilitation (Phase III), and complementary therapies such as massage. BMH will also offer blood pressure, diabetes, weight management, and nutrition screenings at the YMCA facility.

BMH CEO Barry Beeman says, “We look forward to collaborating with Meeting Waters YMCA on this new initiative. This partnership will not only be beneficial to both of us, but to the whole community.” Meeting Waters YMCA will provide fitness and recreational programming, aquatic programs, family wellness programs, and ongoing support groups for health seekers in addition to serving as a resource and referral center to link people to other agencies and available services.

Meeting Waters Executive Director Steve Fortier says of the new initiative, “The impact of this partnership on overall community health will be significant. From reaching out to health seekers by improving support systems and reducing barriers to achieving healthier lifestyles to addressing the community's chronic health challenges, this partnership will have far-reaching positive impacts throughout the region.” This new joint venture will provide community health education programs; pre-season sports preventive training; medically-based fitness programs; and water-based therapeutic services for seniors, arthritis sufferers, obese youth and adults, and those recovering from injury.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital and Meeting Waters YMCA look forward to getting the facility built and starting their partnership for the health of the community. For more information, visit www.bmhvt.org or www.meetingwatersymca.org.