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YMCA adds clinic

YMCA opens new clinic in Phoenix

These days, youth and adults at the Christown YMCA can exercise their bodies and get medical help at an on-site clinic for those same bodies when they break down.

The clinic at the Christown branch, 5517 N. 17^th Ave. in Phoenix is a first for state YMCAs, and the pilot program is being coordinated by the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Sponsors of the new program include Phoenix Baptist Hospital, Abrazo Healthcare, and the BHHS Legacy Foundation, says April Lewallan, executive director.

The clinic is open three days a week, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and provides preventative medical and dental care for an annual fee of $50. A family nurse practitioner and a dental hygienist can provide check-ups and write some prescriptions, Lewallen says. Bigger problems are referred to medical facilities.

The clinic now serves hundreds of patients at the YMCA, Lewallan says, and many of those served take nutrition class as well.

“We wanted to be as proactive with this health initiative as we are with our physical programs,” Lewallan says. The YMCA has targeted youth obesity and diabetes, and kids sitting on couches, watching TV and eating without physical exercise can lead to health and dental problems.

“We wanted to make our YMCA a one-stop shop,” she says. She adds that the program may expand to other YMCAs if the pilot is successful.