UT, YMCA Sign
Collaboration Agreement to Enhance Healthy Living
Initiatives
Special to The Truth
Now the community has a greater opportunity to achieve a
healthier lifestyle. The YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo and
The University of Toledo are partnering to strengthen
healthy living initiatives available to the community to
promote wellness and maximize the amount of resources going
to those seeking healthy living services.
The YMCA and UT have
identified a shared staff position to manage the Healthy
Living initiatives, which include worksite wellness
programs, diabetes education, executive health assessments,
the YMCA’s Kids In Motion program, weight management and
other health-related programs.
“The YMCA believes
collaboration and partnerships are the best way to address
the critical needs of our community including healthy
living. The YMCA is pleased to open its doors to the
University, as it positions us to better deliver programs
and services by adding the resources of the University and
clinical expertise from UTMC,” said Todd Tibbits, president
and CEO for the YMCA and JCC of Greater Toledo.
“The YMCA is an outstanding
resource for northwest Ohio, southeast Michigan and The
University of Toledo is proud to expand its strong
partnership with them,” said UT President Dr. Lloyd Jacobs.
“The YMCA’s efforts to improve the health and well being of
our community through exercise, healthy habits and
preventative medicine mirrors much of the University’s work
in these areas and a closer relationship just makes sense.”
Already the YMCA manages its
South YMCA location at the Morse Center on UT’s Health
Science Campus. Officials say that by working
collaboratively, the community will have improved access to
initiatives that will focus on the prevention of chronic
disease and educational services that integrate wellness for
the whole family.
Additionally, the partnership
will offer relevant internships and professional experiences
for University students studying in health and wellness
fields. Also UT and the YMCA plan to work to create more
scholarship and education opportunities at UT for YMCA staff
and will strive to find mutual research and grants relative
to community health and wellness.
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