WEST CHESTER, PA – The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) has become the first YMCA Association in the United States to earn Medical Fitness Facility Certification from the Medical Fitness Association (MFA), marking a groundbreaking achievement within the national YMCA network. This recognition establishes YGBW’s eight branches as certified leaders in medical fitness, making them the only facilities in Pennsylvania to hold this prestigious certification.
Led by President and CEO Bertram L. Lawson II and Chief Strategy & Growth Officer Heather Worthy Wilson, the certification underscores YGBW’s commitment to advancing healthcare and wellness in the region. “Today is a proud day at the YMCA of Greater Brandywine,” Lawson said. “There’s a reason why our branches are the only facilities in the state to have earned certification by the Medical Fitness Association. The standards are extremely high – and our team worked incredibly hard to earn this great honor.”
A Mark of Excellence in Wellness
The Medical Fitness Facility Certification signifies that YGBW meets rigorous international standards for quality, safety, and expertise in medical fitness. Facilities that achieve this designation play a unique role in promoting good health by offering programs that help individuals prevent illness, recover from health setbacks, and maintain active lifestyles.
David Flench, FACHE, FMFA, and CEO of the Medical Fitness Association, emphasized the importance of facilities like those at YGBW in addressing public health challenges. “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,” he stated. “The YMCA of Greater Brandywine has taken an important step in providing this extraordinary level of care.”
Improving Health Outcomes and Building Connections
Beyond fitness programs, YGBW intends to become a key player in the broader continuum of healthcare by strengthening its partnerships with the medical community. With this certification, YGBW demonstrates its capacity to act as a trusted resource for physicians and a reliable destination for patient referrals.
Heather W. Wilson highlighted this vision, saying, “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. We look forward to strengthening our partnerships within the medical community to achieve public health goals.”
Veronica L. Lopez, RN, Vice President of Health Strategies at YGBW, stressed the role YGBW aims to play in guiding patients through their healthcare journeys. “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,” Lopez said. “YGBW wants to be a partner in this process. Our team is educated, qualified, and certified to help patients on their journey – and help physicians ensure a more 360-degree approach to healthcare.”
A Milestone for Pennsylvania and Beyond
The MFA Facility Certification is the only globally recognized standard for the medical fitness industry, which serves over four million members worldwide. This milestone enables YGBW’s branches to be fully integrated into the region’s healthcare ecosystem as they help improve community health outcomes. The certification also reflects YGBW’s mission to provide accessible, high-quality wellness services that meet the diverse needs of its members and neighbors.
YGBW’s leadership team, including Wilson and Lopez, represented the organization at the Medical Fitness Association’s conference in New Orleans, where they were formally recognized for this achievement. This historic milestone not only redefines the role of YMCAs in Pennsylvania but also serves as an inspiration for other fitness organizations to raise the bar for public health and wellness standards.
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