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Sault Ste. Marie, ON – September 25, 2020 – The Sault Ste. Marie YMCA and the Group Health Centre are proud to collaborate to offer the Cardiac Rehab Exercise program within the YMCA facility.

Group Health Centre’s Cardiac Rehab program was originally held at the Y up until about five years ago when the program moved to Sault College. As of Monday, September 21st the program has returned to the YMCA.

The Cardiac Rehab program works collaboratively with physicians and allied health professionals to help rehabilitate those impacted by cardiac events. The program offers an individualized exercise program, as well as education and counselling services with a holistic approach. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the program followed a 10-week module working with small groups; it has since been changed to 1-on-1 exercise sessions to ensure a healthy, safe environment for all patients and staff. Anyone who has had a cardiac event in the past year can be referred to the program through a medical centre (most commonly Sault Area Hospital, Health Sciences North and St. Michael’s Hospital), or through their primary care provider.

“We could not be happier to re-introduce and offer our Cardiac Rehab Exercise program to patients at our local YMCA!” said Sue Doucette, a Registered Nurse with the Cardiac Rehab Program. “This exercise portion of our program is extremely important for cardiac rehabilitation, not to mention for the body and mind. We hear every day how much patients are looking forward to the individual monitoring and exercise prescription. Witnessing and hearing how patients rehabilitate quicker, and under the safe supervision of exercise specialists following cardiac events and interventions, has become a priority. Let’s get out and move!”

The YMCA is offering space within its recently updated fitness centre and large gymnasium to allow for patients to complete exercises using different aerobic and resistance equipment, as well as walking laps. The Y and Group Health Centre team have been working extremely hard to keep the facilities up to the highest cleaning standards to maintain a safe atmosphere for all members and visitors. The YMCA is also offering a reduced membership rate for all participants that complete the program.

“We are thrilled to welcome this program back to the Y and help these members of our community improve their health and quality of life,” says Tracey Cooke, CEO of the Sault Ste. Marie YMCA.

For more information on the Group Health Centre and the Cardiac Rehab program click here.

For more information on the Sault Ste. Marie YMCA visit: www.ssmymca.ca

 

ABOUT SAULT STE. MARIE YMCA

The Sault Ste. Marie YMCA is a charitable organization that promotes the development of spirit, mind and body, personal growth, and service to the community. Providing over 120 years of service to the Sault Ste. Marie and surrounding areas, our commitment is to strengthen the foundations of community by nurturing the potential of children, teens and young adults; promoting healthy living; fostering a sense of social responsibility; and delivering lasting personal and social change.