Chesterton Tribune

 

 

Duneland YMCA and Franciscan Health partner to provide better health services

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By LILY REX

The Duneland Family YMCA has entered into a new partnership with Franciscan Health Michigan City to provide more comprehensive services to the community, the two organizations announced at a press conference on Wednesday at the Y.

As part of the partnership, hospital staff members will offer a variety of services at the Y, among them flu vaccinations, injury and prevention screenings, nutrition counseling, smoking cessation, diabetes programs, health fairs, educational presentations on a variety of topics, including health screenings for bone density, blood pressure, blood glucose, body fat and more.

“If you want to be the best you have to partner with the best,” said Duneland YMCA CEO David Kasarda.

Dean Mazzoni, Franciscan Health Michigan City CEO, echoed that sentiment, saying that both organizations have longstanding histories of serving their communities with a value and mission-based approach. Kasarda and Mazzoni agreed that the partnership is built on common values of serving everyone without regard for ability to pay and pride in the Christian heritage of both entities.

The Duneland YMCA currently serves more than 10,000. The partnership with Franciscan, Kasarda said, is a strategic alliance that will allow the Duneland community access to more and better healthcare resources. Kasarda said that YMCA health resources will improve with regards to the treatment of chronic diseases and illness prevention. Programs will also be tailored for residents of Duneland to help them live healthier lifestyles through preventative measures.

Mazzoni and Kasarda were receptive to questions from the community. Chesterton resident Arlene Burnett specifically raised concerns about transportation between facilities and the potential for a new and improved cancer treatment center in Duneland. “People are going to Chicago for treatment,” she said. Mazzoni said in response that he wants to examine barriers to service that the community experiences, and those barriers will be addressed.

Both leaders emphasized the value the partnership will bring to the community. “We now will be able to do things for the Duneland community that we haven’t been able to do before,” Kasarda said.

Mazzoni for his part referenced Franciscan’s slogan: “With this partnership, we will be there for you, inspiring health together.”

For more information on the Duneland Family YMCA, visit www.dunelandymca.org/

For information on Franciscan Health Michigan City, visit www.franciscanhealth.org/michigancity

 

 

Posted 10/26/2017

 
 
 
 

 

 

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