Exclusive Healthcare Alliance Promotes Community Health

BALTIMORE—(January 20, 2016) — MedStar Union Memorial Hospital and the Y of Central Maryland today announced a strategic partnership designed to improve the health and well-being of individuals and adults in the Waverly service area. Through free health screenings, educational seminars, community events and outreach projects, the collaboration will focus on education and lifestyle modification designed to prevent or improve chronic disease.

 The partnership extends a longstanding relationship between the two entities that started with a $200,000 commitment MedStar Union Memorial Hospital made toward the construction of the Weinberg Family Center Y in 2000.  Since its opening, MedStar Union Memorial Sports Medicine and the MedStar National Rehabilitation Network have provided services to patients on site at the center, where the pool, fitness equipment and programs are available for therapy.

 “We are very proud to team with the Y of Central Maryland in this exclusive relationship,” said president of MedStar Union Memorial and MedStar Good Samaritan Hospitals, Bradley S. Chambers. “It makes sense in our efforts to be accessible and in the community, to share resources and drive quality healthcare, prevention and safety. We are looking forward to joining together for several exiting initiatives.”

 "We see this partnership with MedStar Union Memorial as the kind of innovative strategy and alliance that is required to more proactively and intentionally address preventable disease through changes in lifestyle, exercise, diet and all the many interrelated factors which impact health & well-being for individuals and communities ” said John Hoey, President & CEO of the Y in Central Maryland. “We salute MedStar Union Memorial for their leadership and vision that make this partnership possible, and we are excited about the added value it will bring to our members, participants and the surrounding community. This is right in line with our new Strategic Plan, IMPACT 2020 which calls for partnerships such as this to improve the overall health of our community.” 

 MedStar Union Memorial Hospital and the YCM will collaborate on initiatives that focus on prevention and secondary interventions.  These may include such programs as smoking cessation, a diabetes prevention program, cardiac rehab and cancer rehab, heart health and nutrition expertise, among others. Additionally, MedStar Union Memorial will provide medical coverage during the annual Y Turkey Trot Charity 5K Run.

 Proceeds from this partnership will benefit the Y's Give Every Child a Chance campaign, enabling children whose families live at or below the Federal Poverty line to enjoy safe and enriching Y programs that help keep them healthy in spirit, mind and body.

About MedStar Union Memorial Hospital

MedStar Union Memorial Hospital is a not-for-profit, 223-bed acute care teaching hospital with a strong emphasis on cardiac care, orthopaedics and sports medicine. With roots stemming back to 1854, MedStar Union Memorial has provided high quality care for 160 years. As one of the region's top specialty hospitals, MedStar Union Memorial is home to: The Curtis National Hand Center, the only hand center designated by Congress as The National Center for the Treatment of Hand and Upper Extremity; MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute, a premier cardiovascular program in the mid-Atlantic, aligned with Cleveland Clinic Heart and Vascular Institute, the nation’s #1 heart program; and MedStar Union Memorial Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, the oldest hospital based Sports Medicine Program in Maryland (founded in 1979).  In addition, MedStar Union Memorial offers a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services including oncology, diabetes and endocrinology, general surgery, thoracic surgery, vascular surgery and palliative care.

 MedStar Union Memorial is accredited by The Joint Commission (TJC). It is the first hospital in Baltimore to receive spine certification by TJC, and the first in the state of Maryland to receive advanced certification for palliative care. MedStar Union Memorial is also TJC-certified in hip and knee replacement, CARF-accredited in inpatient rehabilitation and Curtis Work Rehabilitation Services, and has been designated as a Primary Stroke Center and the Hand Trauma Center for Maryland.

 MedStar Union Memorial is a proud member of MedStar Health, a non-profit, regional health care system with 10 hospitals and more than 20 other health-related services in the Maryland and Washington, D.C., area.

 For more information, visit MedStarUnionMemorial.org.

Debra Schindler
Phone: 410-274-1260
Email: [email protected]