YMCA and Healthcare Partners Collaborate to Support Lasting Lifestyle Change
Last updated: June 25, 2026, at 12:22 p.m. PT
Originally published: June 25, 2026, at 12:22 p.m. PT
More than 20 healthcare providers gathered in June for Prescribe the Y: Community Support for Lifestyle Change and GLP-1s to explore how stronger partnerships between healthcare providers and community organizations can improve long-term health outcomes for patients.
The session highlighted an important reality: many patients face challenges that extend beyond what can be addressed during an office visit. From chronic disease prevention and healthy weight management to increasing physical activity and reducing social isolation, long-term health often depends on ongoing support within the community.
Presented by Sally Sundar, Program Executive of Health Integration for the YMCA of Greater Seattle, the program showcased the YMCA's evidence-based health interventions, including the Diabetes Prevention Program, Wellness for Life weight management, Actively Changing Together (ACT!) family healthy weight program, Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring, Livestrong at the YMCA, Pedaling for Parkinson's, and specialized lifestyle support for individuals using GLP-1 medications. Participants learned how these programs complement clinical care by providing coaching, accountability, peer support, and practical strategies that help patients build lasting healthy habits.
A key focus of the presentation was the growing role of the YMCA in supporting patients taking GLP-1 medications. Attendees explored how structured lifestyle programs can provide personalized and group support to help preserve muscle mass, improve nutrition and physical activity, manage medication side effects, support long-term weight maintenance, and enhance overall well-being while on GLP-1 therapy.
One of the highlights of the event was a panel discussion featuring individuals who have experienced the YMCA's programs from different perspectives, including a program participant, a YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program facilitator, and a referring physician.
Robin Jones, YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program Manager and facilitator, shared a memorable participant story that demonstrated the power of mindset shifts. She described a participant who had always viewed physical activity as something negative or burdensome. After just three months in the program, the participant reported having far fewer negative thoughts about exercise and had begun seeing physical activity as an achievable and positive part of daily life.
Marta Osborne, a participant in the YMCA's Wellness for Life for GLP-1 Users program, emphasized that the greatest benefit was the sense of community. Although everyone came with different challenges and approaches, participants learned from one another, discovering new strategies for tracking food intake and managing lifestyle changes. The openness and encouragement within the group transformed it from a class into a lasting network of friends who continue to support one another.
Dr. Sandra Beaulieu, a pediatrician who refers families to the ACT! program, spoke about the "ripple effects" she sees in participating families. She described meaningful changes, including reduced screen time, increased physical activity, and healthier habits that families adopt together. Perhaps most importantly, she noted that the program removes the shame that children and families often associate with weight and fitness. By normalizing healthy behaviors within a supportive community, ACT! helps families focus on health rather than stigma.
Providers also learned about streamlined referral pathways through electronic medical records, secure fax referrals, and self-referral options, making it easier to connect patients with YMCA programs that extend care beyond the clinic walls. The combination of evidence-based programming and firsthand stories reinforced the value of community partnerships in helping patients make sustainable lifestyle changes and improve long-term health outcomes.
As healthcare continues to increasingly emphasize prevention and whole person health, partnerships with trusted community organizations like the YMCA are becoming more visible and important. By connecting patients with evidence-based programs that foster healthy habits, social support, and lasting behavior change, providers can extend the impact of care beyond the exam room and help more individuals achieve healthier lives.