Health Talks: Fit for Life

The new SBH Health and Wellness Center is changing the lives of people of all ages.  The Bronx ranks last place among counties in New York State when it comes to health outcomes.  That’s why our mission at the Healthplex Fitness Center calls for enhancing the future of a community that struggles with one of the nation’s highest rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and malnutrition.  It’s about keeping people out of the hospital, enhancing the quality of life for area residents, and lowering the cost of healthcare. Albert Jovel and Daniel Bonilla, who manage the medical fitness center, discuss how exercise plays such a key component in healthcare.

View the Latest Health Talk Episode Here


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.  

  

 

Culinary Medicine and Teaching Kitchen

The SBH Center for Culinary Medicine and Teaching Kitchen provides in-person classes to the Bronx community members on how to cook easy, nutritious foods.  Chef Emily Schlag, a registered dietitian and the Teaching Kitchen Director, presents classes on her favorite recipes here and introduces her “Simplify Your Life” cooking series with quick, easy-to-make meals that you can make with ingredients often keep at home. Healthplex Associates is proud to be a part of this unique program through the Healthplex Fitness Center. These programs are having a positive impact on the health of the Bronx Community. Follow the SBH Center for Culinary Medicine YouTube channel to learn how to make healthy and delicious recipes in your own home.

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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.  

  

 

Wellness Centers and the Olive Garden

Mark Twain is famously quoted as having once said “Rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated”. I think the same can be said of the fitness industry today. Many people believe that the Covid 19 pandemic is the death knell of this once growing industry. It certainly is only fair to say that the industry, like our population is sick today. But like Mark Twain was at the time, it is still alive! In this case, I am convinced that it will come back to life, slowly perhaps, but when it does, it will be stronger than ever before.
When I was new to the industry and trying to quickly learn as much as I could from the leading experts, I had the opportunity to attend a seminar (back in the days when we did them in person!). The seminar was led by a man who is considered one of the leading experts on health club management. One of his topics was how successful clubs get through the unavoidable down period of the summer months. His lesson was that it was critical to create attractive programming or even special summer-only memberships; anything just to keep people in the club. For many of us who are experiencing those summers when our clubs become ghost towns, we know it’s tough to survive.
 His point is that a successful club must find a way to generate activity and keep people coming in. He likened it to his theory of the Olive Garden. Think about when you go past a new restaurant at dinner time and find the parking lot empty. Chances are you’ll pass it up until you find an Olive Garden where the parking lot is busy and people are waiting in a line that wraps outside, holding beepers to await their turn. Health clubs are similar. While prospective members will always ask “does it get too crowded in here?”, an empty club can be an even bigger deterrent to membership than a robust crowd.
People are social beings and those who think that the only product of any of our wellness centers is to provide equipment for workouts are just dead wrong. Many of our members can afford to buy quality exercise equipment for home use (and many, in fact, do). But they choose to work out in our centers because of the socialization, friendships, companionship and interactions that they get when they join us. It may come slowly, but just watch; there will be a resurgence to the fitness/wellness industry and it will be huge.

5 Tips for Resuscitating your Wellness Center

Click on the link below to view the latest HPA webinar: 5 Tips for Resuscitating your Wellness Center During the COVID-19 Pandemic.  Don Doyle, HPA Vice President of Operations, has over 30 years of experience in the Medical Wellness Industry. Join us as Don shares his top 5 tips to get your wellness center through these challenging times.

 


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.  

  

Don Doyle, Senior VP – Healthplex Leadership Team

Don Doyle, Senior Vice President – Center Operations, is a valued member of the Healthplex Leadership Team. He has been involved in club operations for over 30 years and is responsible for implementing many successful growth and development strategies. In addition, Don has been a featured speaker at IHRSA, Club Industry, and Medical Fitness Association’s annual conferences. Furthermore, his topics include Managing Based on Industry Benchmarks and Bridging the Gap from Clinical Services to Retail Wellness. He holds a BS in Biology from LaRoche College and a M.Ed. in Exercise Physiology from Slippery Rock University. Don and his wife Josie have four adult children and recently welcomed their first granddaughter. Don is an avid runner and competes in many local and destination races. Undoubtedly, HPA is thankful to have Don on the Healthplex Leadership Team!


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.  

  

Cabrini Grant Enrollee Sees Changes

Daniel Bonilla, Director of Clinical Integration at the St. Barnabas Healthplex Fitness Center, can see that his efforts are changing lives in ways he never could have imagined. In fact, the impact of what he is doing , particularly in an age of Covid, sometimes leaves him in tears. “It’s not just the numbers on the scale that we are changing, but the way these people look at life,” says Bonilla. Healthplex is proud to be a part of this program.  Cabrini Grant Enrollee Sees Changes – SBH Medicine.


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.  

  

Diabetes Prevention Program – Anderson Health

In early January, Anderson Health & Fitness Center received
full recognition for its in-house Diabetes Prevention Program from
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) under the
Department of Health and Human Services. Moreover, this certification states
that AHFC meets all the criteria established by the CDC.

“This designation is reserved for programs that have effectively delivered
a quality, evidence-based program that meets all of the standards
for CDC recognition,” states Miriam Bell, Team Lead for the National
Diabetes Prevention Program. She continues, “As the Team Lead,
it is immensely gratifying to see the science of diabetes prevention
being implemented to improve the public’s health. It is programs
like yours that are turning the tide in the fight against the epidemic
of type 2 diabetes.”
Anderson Health & Fitness Center is planning to kick off
this year’s Diabetes Prevention Program in March. Therefore, community
members that are at risk for prediabetes are encouraged to
participate. According to the CDC, 1 in 3 adults have prediabetes.
Undoubtedly, these high-risk individuals could develop type 2 diabetes within 5 years, without taking any action to change lifestyle.  “This is
a really big deal for us,” says Adam Hodges, General Manager of
Anderson Health & Fitness Center. “We are leading the way in the
fight to prevent type 2 diabetes. In addition, I am incredibly proud of my team
and know that the ultimate reward is the positive impact this will
have on our community.”

Beverly J. Slavic Memorial Annual Award

Congratulations to Renee’ Clark-McDonald Healthplex Associates 2020 recipient of the Beverly J. Slavic Memorial Award. Each year,  HPA selects an individual who best represents the Company’s values through innovation, customer service, teamwork, and dedication.  2020 was a year that caused us to face unprecedented challenges and Renee’ Clark-McDonald played a pivotal role in helping HPA continue our mission in this brave new world. For this reason, Renee’ is an award winner that we would all agree is the “people’s favorite”.


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.