Kansas City, Mo.-based Truman Medical Center is building a 7,000-square-foot primary care facility attached to the city's newly renovated YMCA, reports The Kansas City Star.
Physicians at the new facility, which is slated to open later this year, will be able to refer patients to various YMCA wellness programs. YMCA personal trainers and dieticians will collaborate with physicians to manage chronic conditions, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, according to the report.
The partnership is part of the Kansas City YMCA's ongoing efforts to better align itself with the medical community. It is also the first YMCA in the nation to hire a staff physician, according to the report.
"I'm sure as we dig the dirt today, this will be one of many that we will go forward with because health care and healthy living is definitely part of the Y's mission of keeping people well, spiritually mentally and physically," Kansas City YMCA CEO David Byrd said, according to the report.
The clinic was funded through a combination of public and private donations.