Novant Health and Northwest North Carolina YMCA – Partner up for Community Wellness

Expanding on their longstanding alliance, Novant Health and the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina have formed a strategic partnership to encompass the Y’s 17 branch locations across Alexander, Davie, Forsyth, Iredell, Stokes, Wilkes and Yadkin counties.

Guided by the local Community Health Needs Assessments, the organizations will expand wellness programming, support youth sports, and establish physical and telehealth clinic locations to create integrated healthcare access for the region.  

Important areas of healthcare are to be impacted

All areas the newly partnered entities aim to reach are well established impactful parts of the healthcare system, some of which have proven very effective during the last years, especially since the healthcare industry as well as communities have had to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Telemedicine has become an accessible, efficient, affordable healthcare solution for patients throughout the pandemic. When the government mandated a shutdown, the use of telehealth experienced a rapid increase in mental and physical health issues. COVID-19 has proven that telehealth brings numerous benefits to healthcare nationwide. The question how telehealth would progress after the pandemic now finds an answer: since two renowned systems are getting together to further develop telemedicine, the future of this new medical branch sounds promising, especially since the youth are a significant part of the endeavor’s target population.

From Himalayan salt lamps, which have become especially popular, being said said to help get rid of allergens, purify the air in your living room, uplift your mood, improve sleep, and help you breathe better if you’re asthmatic, to digital health mobile applications for employees, wellness is promoted in various ways, to impact more people and ensure better long term health outcomes for as many people possible. 

How to promote a healthier lifestyle for more people

“From diabetes prevention to cancer survivorship, Novant Health and the YMCA have always offered complementary services for our communities,” said Chad Setliff, senior vice president and president of Novant Health’s Winston-Salem market. “Moving forward, we’ll offer a more integrated wellness experience that leverages the best of both organizations to improve health outcomes for patients and members, strengthen wellness offerings, and reduce barriers to care through a combination of digital tools and co-located clinics.”  

“Now more than ever, organizations need to truly collaborate and partner together to drive systemic, meaningful change in our communities,” said Darryl Head, president and CEO of the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina. “Our strategic health and wellness partnership with Novant Health is an example of what can happen when two organizations work together to make change happen. Not only does this collaboration highlight our shared community benefit, but it will also expand our combined services, create new and innovative programming, and bring additional healthcare opportunities to East Winston, one of our most vulnerable areas, with a new, in-branch clinic. Together, we will transform the health and wellness of our community.”

Healthcare for more people, hope for a better, longer life

Underserved and rural communities are a primary focus of the partnership, which seeks to expand health care access points. To better serve the East Winston-Salem community, Novant Health will place an innovative and first-in-region community care clinic inside of the Winston Lake Family YMCA. Once complete, the new 1,500-square-foot clinic will offer primary care services, women’s and children’s services, rehabilitation services, and diabetes and nutrition support. While the new clinic is expected to open in late 2024, Novant Health has already started providing on-site primary care for patients with its new mobile community care cruiser. 

Plans are currently underway to develop telehealth portals at some of the Y’s more rural locations. Each portal will be outfitted with the health care industry’s first all-in-one modular device and telehealth platform to offer on-demand and remote medical exams. While using the innovative TytoCare app, patients can connect to a Novant Health clinician who can virtually examine the heart, lungs, skin, ears, throat and abdomen of patients, potentially eliminating a rush to the emergency room or doctor’s office.

Novant Health already has established rehabilitation clinics in the Davie Family YMCA in Mocksville, and in the Robinhood Road Family YMCA in Winston-Salem. These clinics are staffed by physical therapists to help patients regain strength and functionality.

Future plans include the development of programs and services aligned with the individual community health needs assessments. While these discussions are still preliminary, initiatives may include additional clinic or telehealth locations, chronic disease management, and dietitian and weight management services.

About Novant Health

Novant Health is an integrated network of hospitals, physician clinics and outpatient facilities that delivers a seamless and convenient healthcare experience to communities in North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia. The Novant Health network consists of more than 1,800 physicians and over 35,000 team members who provide care at more than 800 locations, including 15 hospitals and hundreds of outpatient facilities and physician clinics. In 2021, Novant Health was the highest-ranking healthcare system in North Carolina to be included on Forbes’ Best Employers for Diversity list. Diversity MBA Magazine ranked Novant Health first in the nation on its 2021 list of “Best Places for Women & Diverse Managers to Work.” In 2021, Novant Health provided more than $1.1 billion in community benefit, including financial assistance and services. 

About the YMCA of Northwest North Carolina

The YMCA is one of the nation’s leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA of Northwest North Carolina engages more than 115,000 men, women and children annually – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the community’s health and well-being and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in communities across seven counties, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver lasting personal and social change.