The Orthman Community YMCA and Lexington Regional Health Center share a common goal: helping the community live healthier lives. Through a growing partnership, the two organizations work together on a variety of programs throughout the year, including Coffee & Conversations health education sessions, adaptive programming for children and families, homeschool electives, and the annual Turkey Trot 5K. By combining the YMCA’s role as a community gathering place with the hospital’s health expertise, the partnership creates meaningful opportunities for people of all ages to connect, learn, and thrive.
Leaders from both organizations say the partnership developed naturally through their shared focus on community health and well-being. LRHC Chief Patient Experience Officer Mike Dowling shares, “We have a really good understanding of how important fitness is within our organization and how healthy employees can help make healthy patients as well.” Speaking to that shared focus, Orthman Community YMCA Branch Director Riley Gruntorad says, “The partnership with Lexington Regional Health Center is essential because it allows us to bridge the gap between healthcare and everyday wellness.” This shared focus continues to drive the two organizations to offer a variety of programs for the community.
PROGRAMS THAT BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER
Together, the organizations have built programs that bring health education, support, and inclusive opportunities directly to the community. One program that has seen recent success is the monthly Coffee & Conversations health education sessions hosted by the hospital in the YMCA lobby. Speaking to the need for these sessions, LRHC Chief Communications Officer Brenna Bartruff says, “We wanted to find some sort of outreach in the community to help educate our community on different health topics.” Becoming widely popular, Brenna adds, “The crew expects us to come monthly, and they are there, ready, and excited.”
Alluding to the importance of programs like this, Mike states, “It’s important that we support our community, and that our community sees that there are members of the hospital involved with the YMCA driving that importance of exercise and healthy living.” Beyond health education, the partnership also focuses on creating inclusive opportunities for youth and families in the community.
CREATING INCLUSIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL
While health education is one part of the partnership, another area of impact is creating inclusive experiences for children and families in the community. The LRHC Rehab Team partners with the YMCA to offer sensory-friendly adaptive sessions for YMCA events and teams up with YMCA staff to offer Homeschool Elective classes for the homeschool families in the area. Leeann Smith, LRHC PTA/WTA, comments that, “Partnering with the YMCA is a natural fit for our pediatric rehab team.”
Reflecting on the adaptive, sensory-friendly sessions the organizations offer, Leeann says, “As a rehab team, we tend to work with children with special needs, and we want those kids to have the same opportunities to participate in YMCA events as everyone else.” This desire for shared opportunities led to the creation of the YMCA Healthy Kids Day Bubble Run, an adaptive version of the Color Run. The event offers children of all ability levels the opportunity to join in the fun. “The kids loved it, and our staff had so much fun,” Leeann says about the first annual Bubble Run. “It was my favorite activity of the year!”
Opportunities like these have led to impactful community experiences. Reflecting on the impact of these programs, Leeann shares, “We have been able to create stronger bonds throughout the community with children and families, and we hear from families of special needs kids feeling thankful for opportunities for acceptance and promoting ability in all children.” This support for the community is evident in many avenues. “Through referrals, shared programming, and aligned goals, we can support individuals who may be recovering from illness, managing chronic conditions, or simply trying to live healthier lives,” Riley shares.
A COMMUNITY WORKING TOGETHER
While these programs create meaningful experiences for participants, the partnership’s impact extends far beyond individual events. “Much like the hospital, the YMCA is a center point of our community where families can join together,” Mike shares. “I look forward to seeing where the Y is going in the next 10 years, and I know that the hospital will be alongside them,” he adds. Highlighting the effectiveness of the partnership, Riley adds, “Ultimately, it helps us reach more people, remove barriers to wellness, and create a healthier, more connected Lexington.”
Partnerships like the one between the Lexington Regional Health Center and the Orthman Community YMCA demonstrate the power of community organizations working together toward a common goal. By combining healthcare expertise with accessible community programming, the collaboration helps individuals and families find support, connection, and opportunities to live healthier lives. As both organizations continue to grow their efforts, the partnership will remain an important part of building a stronger, healthier Lexington for years to come.