Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital leadership announced today that the hospital is seeking an outside organization to own and operate the Betsie Hosick Health and Fitness Center.
The health and fitness center has been a part of the hospital’s operations for nearly 15 years. During that time, the fitness center has grown in membership and transitioned from a traditional gym to a place for wellness classes, cardiovascular fitness, and movement and balance training.
This has been especially helpful for the community’s senior population.
Citing Munson Healthcare’s updated strategic direction post-pandemic, the organization is focusing on investing more in patient-facing care, wages to recruit and retain the healthcare talent in the region and expanding the use of technology and digital health.
“As we navigate the ever-changing environment of the healthcare industry, we must scrutinize and carefully consider how and where we invest our limited dollars,” said Kelly Tomaszewski, Interim CEO at Paul Oliver Memorial Hospital. “We are seeking to hand off the business but will continue to partner with the fitness center to supplement offerings.”
The hospital believes now is the time to shift direction and have an expert, outside organization run the operation and take the fitness center to the next level.
“The health and well-being of Frankfort and the surrounding communities is vital, and we believe that partnering with an organization dedicated to wellness will bring additional and enhanced activities and programming to our area,” Tomaszewski said.
Executive leaders are currently working to discover and develop relationships with potential individuals or organizations to assume operations and ownership of the facility. The hospital will continue operating the fitness center as the search for a new partner is conducted. There is a plan is place for staff currently working at the fitness center and those individuals are aware of the pending changes and options available to them.
According to Tomaszewski, the hospital’s Community Health Council, Foundation Board, and Betsie Hosick herself have been notified and are supportive of the decision. Fitness center members will be receiving notice of the hospital’s intent to sell and provide them with options for their membership.
Until a partner is identified, not much will change. The hospital will work to negotiate a favorable arrangement with new owners that maintains current membership rates and benefits during the transition period, Tomaszewski said.