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Hays, KS – (Feb. 9, 2015) The Center for Health Improvement announced today that is has been re-certified by the Medical Fitness Association, the country’s leading organization dedicated solely to medically integrated wellness and fitness facilities. This certification is a significant step forward in providing for the health of the entire community and to the individuals taking responsibility for their personal healthcare.  Currently there are 34 United States certified facilities and 18 International facilities, Hays being the only one in Kansas.

“Our mission at The Center is To Help People Get Well Sooner and Stay Well Longer” says Stephanie Schaffer-Howie, Fitness Director at The Center for Health Improvement.  “Our medical fitness center integrates traditional medical treatment with fitness, disease prevention and health education allowing each individual to achieve lifelong wellness.  The staff is committed to helping members make life improvements through lifestyle change.  We work closely with physicians and other healthcare providers that cover all aspects of health and wellness in hoping to make Hays the healthiest rural community in America.”

This program is the first and only certification offered specifically to facilities in the medical fitness industry—an industry that serves over 4 million members worldwide. Based on the Medical Fitness Association’s internationally recognized Standards and Guidelines for Medical Fitness Facilities, the certification process involves an in-depth , on-site review of a facility’s adherence to the prescribed standards and guidelines. The certification process is an integral part of ensuring that facilities provide a high level of quality and safety in the programs and services they deliver in order for them to become fully integrated into the local continuum of health care. The Medical Fitness Association Facility Certification is recognized as a mark of excellence in the health and wellness industry.

“With the implementation of the Accountable Care Act and its impact on healthcare systems beginning to be realized, the industry is looking for ways to better manage and coordinate care for the communities they serve. As the incidence of chronic disease continues to rise, the need for more medically supervised, outcomes and accountability based exercise as medicine programs have never been more relevant in our industry than today. It is clear that the task to produce and deliver this revolution in the provision of healthcare with all its necessary components and guidelines is a herculean task. The Center for Health Improvement has taken an important step towards filling a gap in the current care delivery model. The Time is Now to implement these accountable models of health that reduce the severity of chronic disease and improve the quality of life for those who participate!” – Robert D Boone, FACHE, FMFA, President and CEO, Medical Fitness Association

The Center for Health Improvement opened its doors to the community in February 2002.  The facility houses a fitness center which includes state of the art equipment, aquatics area, the latest group fitness classes for all levels, full service juice bar and play center areas.  Fitness amenities include Personal Training, Massage, Health Coaching and Nutritional Consults.  The facility also houses Outpatient areas such as Cardiac Rehab, Physical and Occupational Therapy, Sleep Center as well as the Hays Orthopedic and SouthWind Surgical Clinics.  For more information, call The Center for Health Improvement at 785-623-6340 or visit our website at www.thecenter.haysmed.com.