The YMCA of Greater Brandywine (YGBW) has announced the addition of Veronica Lopez as vice president of health strategies. Lopez has nearly three decades of experience in nursing leadership, patient advocacy and community outreach.

Lopez most recently served as the director of nursing at Community Volunteers in Medicine. Her experience encompasses various health care roles, including director of health equity at Reading Area Community College, Latina Community Health Services at Pennsylvania Hospital, and Greater Philadelphia Health Action Inc. She is dedicated to promoting patient-centered care and advancing health equity and accessibility for all.

The YGBW is currently seeking to increase access to health and wellness services. To build on current offerings such as LIVESTRONG at the Y, A Matter of Balance and Parkinson's Cycle, the Y plans to seek certification as a medical fitness facility. It also plans to mobilize a Fit Truk across Chester County in the coming months. Fit Truks are fully equipped mobile gyms, designed to deliver health care and fitness opportunities directly to schools, organizations, community events, and more.

The expansion of the Y's medical fitness services will be accelerated through strategic partnerships. Elite Physical Therapy recently launched services at the West Chester Area branch on Airport Road. Both physical and occupational therapy are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays and from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays. The YGBW plans to expand the program's hours as demand grows, as well as its partnership with Elite. Elite Physical Therapy is slated to launch at the Coatesville branch in early 2025.

The partnership with Elite comes on the heels of YGBW's partnership with HUSK Nutrition in the spring. HUSK provides personalized consultations with registered dieticians, and services are covered by most major insurance companies.

The organization recently upgraded cardio equipment in seven branches and plans to install EVOLT 360 body scanners this fall. EVOLT 360 provides detailed data about a person's body through more than 40 different measurements to help members pinpoint wellness goals that can improve health outcomes.

Lopez earned a bachelor's degree from Temple University and a nursing degree from Gwynedd Mercy University. She completed the Advancing Health Equity program at Harvard Medical School and is pursuing a master's degree at the University of Pennsylvania. As a first-generation American of Cuban descent, Lopez is fluent in Spanish and understands the challenges facing immigrants and the opportunities available to them.

To learn more about the YGBW, visit http://www.ymcagbw.org. For information about Elite Physical Therapy at the Y, visit http://www.ymcagbw.org/elite. Details about the HUSK Nutrition partnership are available at https://ymcagbw.org/healthy-living/husk-nutrition-ymca-greater-brandywine.