The affiliation formalizes the relationship between the two organizations, who have collaborated in the past. As part of the agreement, Signature Healthcare and the Old Colony YMCA will co-sponsor health education events, meetings and screenings at locations throughout a 31-community region.

YMCAs have enjoyed successful partnerships with hospitals across the country. This relationship will be no exception, offering a host of longtime proven programs and innovative new opportunities. The Old Colony Y will bring further reach to award winning hospital outreach programs such as Signature Healthcare’s Better Beginnings and Reach Out And Read, while breaking new ground by offering office space to Signature Healthcare physicians for on-site health and preventive care visits.

“For many years, Old Colony Y has benefited from a strong working relationship with Signature Healthcare through the Central Branch Cardiac Rehabilitation Program,” said Jeffrey Russell, chief Operating Officer of the Old Colony Y. “We have such great respect for Signature Healthcare and all they do. This expanded affiliation will allow us to call upon the expertise of Signature Healthcare in many new ways. Combining the experienced staff and facilities of the YMCA with Signature Healthcare’s proven medical model will help us further the YMCA’s mission of building strong kids, strong families and strong communities.”

Signature Healthcare is Southeastern Massachusetts’ largest integrated healthcare system. With more than 550 providers and 2,500 employees, all working to serve the healthcare needs of the region, the locally-governed network provides a seamless delivery of high quality care from the comfort and convenience of the local physician’s office to the state-of-the-art sophistication of the area’s community teaching hospital. Signature Healthcare is an integrated team of doctors, nurses, and support staff, committed to providing compassionate care and ensuring that our patients will be treated individually, and personally, with every encounter in our system. Our clinical staff offer high quality care utilizing electronic medical records, where all providers have the same access to the same medical history, lists of medications and allergies, diagnoses, test results, and provider notes; all in real time, to provide the safest and most accurate care to our patients.

Founded in 1887, the Old Colony YMCA is committed to the development of string spirit, mind, and body – without regard to income, race, sex, religion, or physical ability – to enrich the quality of life for all in our communities.

The organization’s 1,300+ professional staff serves 31 cities and towns in Southeastern Massachusetts through ten branches. These consist of five full-facility branches, a non-facility branch with a summer camp and year-round youth programs, a multi-site child care operation, a youth branch, a family services branch, and a social services branch that operates state contracted residential programs for adolescents.

The Old Colony YMCA remains responsive to community needs and is fully committed to teach, exhibit, and reinforce positive and healthy character traits such as caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.