Hospitals in pursuit of excellence

Health and Wellness Synergy

Carolinas HealthCare System, based in Charlotte, N.C., is partnering with 12 YMCA branches "to create a lot of synergy under the health and wellness banner," says Michael C. Tarwater, the system?s CEO. CHS's involvement began in the early 1990s, "when the whole concept [of health and wellness] was just gaining traction in the general population," recalls Tarwater. Market research indicated community members liked the idea of receiving wellness and prevention advice and care from both the local hospital and YMCA. A registered nurse staffs a CHS Health Center at the YMCAs, providing screenings, health fairs, classes and more, often at no charge. Local physicians now refer patients to the program, and the program helps many patients without a doctor establish a medical home. So far in 2011, the program has had 75,000 visits. Tarwater says the partnership succeeds because "we don?t have to build basketball courts, swimming pools and exercise rooms, and the YMCA doesn?t have to build medical facilities. We both lend our own expertise." To develop an effective program, Tarwater stresses having patience and finding the right partner. This program evolved from LiveWell Carolinas! which first offered heath management options to CHS employees. For more information, contact Collin Lane, vice president, metro group, at collin.lane@carolinashealthcare.org or 704-355-3979.