Representatives from the YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) and the Medical Fitness Association (MFA) attend the Medical Fitness Association conference in New Orleans, LA, where YGBW was recognized for being the first YMCA association in the nation to earn the Medical Fitness Facility Certification from MFA. Pictured (Left to Right): Terri Edgar; Heather W. Wilson; David Flench, FACHE, FMFA; Veronica Lopez, RN; Jackie Canan.

The YMCA of Greater Brandywine makes history this month as the first YMCA Association in the nation to attain Medical Fitness Facility Certification by the Medical Fitness Association (MFA).

This milestone is especially notable as the eight branches of YGBW are the only facilities in Pennsylvania to hold this certification. The initiative was the brainchild of President and CEO, Bertram L. Lawson II, and was well executed under the leadership of Chief Strategy and Growth Officer, Heather Worthy Wilson.  
 
The MFA Facility Certification is recognized as a mark of excellence in the health and wellness industry, serving as the only certification offered to facilities in the medical fitness industry — an industry that serves over four million members worldwide. Certified facilities, including YGBW, provide members with professional expertise and high-quality programming to help them develop and maintain a healthy lifestyle and minimize the risk of illness and disease. 

Improving the Health of Pennsylvanians 

“Today is a proud day at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine,” stated Lawson. “There’s a reason why our branches are the only facilities in the state to have earned certification from the Medical Fitness Association. The standards are extremely high, and our team worked incredibly hard to earn this great honor. Health is a universal need of all people. Earning this certification verifies YGBW’s expertise in supporting our community from prevention to recovery and points in between.”

“As the incidence of chronic disease continues to rise, the need for medical fitness facilities to offer a high standard of programming for the communities they serve is more important than ever,” said David Flench, FACHE, FMFA, President and CEO of MFA. “Studies have shown that when people maintain an active lifestyle, especially in a safe environment, they reduce the risk of illness down the road. The YMCA of Greater Brandywine has taken an important step in providing this extraordinary level of care.”

Building the Future of Healthcare 

MFA’s Medical Fitness Facility Certification is based on internationally recognized standards and guidelines for Medical Fitness Facilities and involves an in-depth, on-site review of a facility’s adherence to a set of prescribed standards and guidelines. Certified facilities are those that provide a high level of quality and safety in the programs and services, enabling them to become fully integrated into the local continuum of healthcare.  

“We recognize that there are many providers that make up the healthcare continuum,” said Wilson. “Every provider has a role to play in support of public health, including the YMCA. With MFA’s Medical Fitness Facility Certification, we are demonstrating to physicians and the medical community that we are a trusted resource for patient referrals. This is a big step toward building a modern healthcare continuum that includes fitness and nutrition expertise from qualified providers. We look forward to strengthening our partnerships within the medical community to achieve public health goals.” 

“We’re taking a patient-centered approach,” added Veronica L. Lopez, RN, VP of Health Strategies at YGBW. “Patients are overwhelmed with healthcare options and the fragmentation along the continuum. Most people understand that movement and nutrition can help prevent, fight, and heal chronic disease. But it can be overwhelming and isolating identifying what specific steps to take and challenging to stay the course. YGBW wants to be a partner in this process. Our team is educated, qualified, and certified to help patients on their journey — and can help physicians ensure a more 360-degree approach to healthcare. We can all grow stronger by working together.”

Wilson and Lopez represented team YGBW at the Medical Fitness Association conference in New Orleans, La. this week, where YGBW was recognized for achieving this great honor. 

About the Medical Fitness Association  

The Medical Fitness Association (MFA), a non-profit professional membership organization, was formed in 1991 to assist medically integrated health and fitness centers achieve their full potential. MFA provides industry standards, educational programs, certification opportunities, benchmark data, professional development, and networking opportunities for improving operational success and healthcare integration. MFA’s vision is to be the leading force in the healthcare and fitness industries dedicated to inspiring and empowering those who seek to deliver the medical fitness model through holistic wellness solutions. 

Learn more about YGBW’s Medical Fitness Facility Certification at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW), an association of nine YMCAs and Program Centers serving Chester County.