The basic idea behind the Medical Wellness Center is to shift the focus of health care from “sickness” to “health” and to provide physicians a place/program for patient referral to continue their change in lifestyle. This lifestyle change has an emphasis on disease prevention and health promotion. Bridget’s Story below from Healthplex’s Wellness Center of URMC shows the clinical benefits of having a wellness center as part of the continuum of care.

Life Has Proven to Me How Exercise is the Medicine Which Continually Rewards

My name is Bridget Rogers. I’ve been married 12 years and have two incredible children.

I was in an automobile accident in 2007.  My neck broke, causing nerve root avulsion to my right bicep and anterior deltoid. With limited use of my right arm, I’ve had intermittent occupational and physical therapy to resist the unavoidable atrophy.

The last round of PT I underwent with the Physical Therapy Department of URMC was nearly five years ago.  Once introduced to the Wellness Center right next door, I was instructed on how to properly utilize a variety of machines to target specific parts of my body needing the work.  I experienced Aquatic Therapy which further advanced my recovery of strength and flexibility.  The environment of the facility was clean and cared for.  I was convinced to join after learning the benefits I received from my visits to the TWC, I could see and more importantly feel the improvements to my ability.  Now able to maintain the appropriate exercise regime for myself, therapy is a thing of the past.  I not only continue my learned routine from therapies for my right arm but can expand on any part of me I desire conditioning.

Becoming a member of TWC has persuaded me to stay active and fend off the aches and pains resulting from a lack of motivation.  Establishing a good, concentrated habit.  I’m always greeted with a smile by a kind, knowledgeable staff member, leaving me positively impressed.  I can take advantage of the KidZone, having a caring associate supervise my children on days I choose not to miss a workout or take part in any number of the group lessons, which also encourages me socially.

The Wellness Center will always have my thanks for contributing to my physical improvement.  I recommend TWC for anyone who seeks to increase their health, developing a steady flow of exercise with a positive concern for their individual wellness.

Sincerely,

Bridget Rogers

Wellness Center Member

Healthplex Associates (HPA) consults with hospitals, health systems, foundations, and universities across the United States to create and manage clinically integrated fitness facilities. Healthplex Associates has developed unique programs to ensure the smooth transition from the clinical setting to the wellness center for people who need long term lifestyle management support for optimal health. HPA has achieved national leadership through innovation and our dedication to patients and clients.  

Our combined staff has now served over 400 clients ranging from large hospitals to smaller, community based rural hospitals.  We work exclusively with organizations ranging from healthcare systems, universities and foundations who are committed to a vision of improving the health and wellness of the community in which they serve.   

Healthplex Associates has developed a unique, hands-on style to assisting and advising clients with an approach that stresses partnerships. We provide an array of services in the Medical Wellness Industry.  These services include feasibility studies, audits of existing medical fitness centers and management. Fundamentally, we believe that true community health must include fitness/wellness services and because of our deep healthcare background (all of our principals have health care management or clinical backgrounds), our Healthplex team fully understands the client’s mission and the complexity of today’s healthcare environment. 

The management team of Healthplex Associates is made up of some of the nation’s most experienced experts in the field of medically based fitness. Few management firms can boast of the experience in health care, clinical services, and operations of medically based fitness centers that HPA possesses.  

Help The Community Pull Through The Pandemic

·     Vaccination Communication – Several HPA Centers have been used as “pop-up” vaccination locations. With most hospital ER’s and clinics overwhelmed, the Medical Fitness Center can be a suitable and convenient location to offer vaccines to the community.

·     Team Support – “Do what it takes!” has been the mantra of my local hospital. Like many hospital systems throughout the country, a severe nursing shortage has resulted in an “all hands on deck” mentality. Volunteer time and support your hospital team in their time of need. Answer phones, transport patients, simply put, be there for whatever is needed.

·     Fiscal Responsibility – The past 18 months has resulted in a roller coaster of restrictions, closings, mandates, and state of emergencies. A responsible Medical Fitness Center must control costs accordingly and aggressively.

·     Stress the Continuum of Care – The importance of a robust EMR referral program for your Centers clinical integration program is higher now due to the Covid-19 pandemic. All patients being discharged should be made aware of the wellness resources available to them. Medical Fitness Center staff have a responsibility to maintain an ongoing line of communication with hospital physicians and clinicians about the process of referring patients to the Center.

Healthplex Associates (HPA) consults with hospitals, health systems, foundations, and universities across the United States to create and manage clinically integrated fitness facilities. Healthplex Associates has developed unique programs to ensure the smooth transition from the clinical setting to the wellness center for people who need long term lifestyle management support for optimal health. HPA has achieved national leadership through innovation and our dedication to patients and clients.  

Our combined staff has now served over 400 clients ranging from large hospitals to smaller, community based rural hospitals.  We work exclusively with organizations ranging from healthcare systems, universities and foundations who are committed to a vision of improving the health and wellness of the community in which they serve.   

Healthplex Associates has developed a unique, hands-on style to assisting and advising clients with an approach that stresses partnerships. We provide an array of services in the Medical Wellness Industry.  These services include feasibility studies, audits of existing medical fitness centers and management. Fundamentally, we believe that true community health must include fitness/wellness services and because of our deep healthcare background (all of our principals have health care management or clinical backgrounds), our Healthplex team fully understands the client’s mission and the complexity of today’s healthcare environment. 

The management team of Healthplex Associates is made up of some of the nation’s most experienced experts in the field of medically based fitness. Few management firms can boast of the experience in health care, clinical services, and operations of medically based fitness centers that HPA possesses.  

Whole-Person Wellness

Many years ago (more than I am willing to admit to), I had an instructor in graduate school who spoke about how our whole health system is focused on its reaction to injury and disease. He talked about a patient he was seeing (he had been the Director of Social Services at a major hospital) who had diabetes and was a particularly difficult case. It turned out that he did a home visit and found that the family did not speak English and didn’t understand the need for a change in diet for the patient to control his disease. Once they cleared that hurdle, the patient’s control of his diabetes improved markedly.

The point the professor was making was that health services need to go beyond a narrow view of treatment in order to actually create “health”. It strikes me that we are constantly re-learning this lesson, even today. When we started Healthplex Associates over 25 years ago, we thought we were breaking the mold by adding exercise to the treatment of people with cardiac disease or as a supplement to physical therapy. Compared to how most health systems were seeing their role in creating “health”, we were doing something new.

In the last few years, however, we have seen a change to the role that our wellness centers can play in creating “health”. We are now seeing a more expansive view that focuses on the “whole person”. For example, our Henry Mayo Fitness and Health Center in California has developed a program to work with teens who may be suffering from depression and a low self-concept. These kids become a risk of suicide, but by working with them we have been able to address their issues and help them through some tough times.

Similarly, our Healthplex in the Bronx has started to work with the City’s “B.R.A.G (Bronx Rises Against Gun Violence)” program to reach out to kids who might otherwise be involved with gun violence. The program teaches them boxing skills which directs their energy to a more controlled outlet and, again, raises their self-esteem. Saint Barnabus’ pediatrics department is also identifying indigent kids who need counseling in lifestyle habits that may be putting them at risk and referring them to the Healthplex for support.

In Indianapolis, the Healthplex recently started a program for children with Autism. According to one of the therapists at the Applied Behavior Center for Autism, “We are able to expand pre-existing skills to more people and cultivate new and emerging skills. It is so important for children to be able to do things in an environment in which they feel safe and can have fun. The Healthplex and their employees are able to provide both.”

These are just a few of the ways that our centers are reaching out and redefining their roles, ways that we are proud to say that we are redefining providing “health” to our communities.

Author:

Stephen A. Robbins

PRESIDENT EMERITUS, HPA

Healthplex Associates (HPA) consults with hospitals, health systems, foundations, and universities across the United States to create and manage clinically integrated fitness facilities. Healthplex Associates has developed unique programs to ensure the smooth transition from the clinical setting to the wellness center for people who need long term lifestyle management support for optimal health. HPA has achieved national leadership through innovation and our dedication to patients and clients.  

Our combined staff has now served over 400 clients ranging from large hospitals to smaller, community based rural hospitals.  We work exclusively with organizations ranging from healthcare systems, universities and foundations who are committed to a vision of improving the health and wellness of the community in which they serve.   

Healthplex Associates has developed a unique, hands-on style to assisting and advising clients with an approach that stresses partnerships. We provide an array of services in the Medical Wellness Industry.  These services include feasibility studies, audits of existing medical fitness centers and management. Fundamentally, we believe that true community health must include fitness/wellness services and because of our deep healthcare background (all of our principals have health care management or clinical backgrounds), our Healthplex team fully understands the client’s mission and the complexity of today’s healthcare environment. 

The management team of Healthplex Associates is made up of some of the nation’s most experienced experts in the field of medically based fitness. Few management firms can boast of the experience in health care, clinical services, and operations of medically based fitness centers that HPA possesses.