Methodist College Recognizes Greater Peoria Family YMCA as Outstanding Community Clinical Partner

Methodist College recently honored the Greater Peoria Family YMCA with the Outstanding Community Clinical Partner Award in recognition of the agency’s positive impact on the local community. The award was presented on Friday, April 21 at the annual President’s Breakfast. The President’s Breakfast also recognizes students who have received scholarships from the Methodist College Foundation.  Dr. Kimberly Johnston, president of Methodist College, presented the award to YMCA Interim CEO Dick Fullmer and Membership Director Christina Rivera.

For many years, the Greater Peoria Family YMCA has served as a clinical site for students in the college’s four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Along with clinical sites within the UnityPoint Health – Peoria system, Methodist College students are placed for clinical experience within many community organizations and agencies in the Peoria area. In addition, students in the Certificate in Gerontology program were able to complete their practicum experience at the YMCA.

“Having these partnerships with community organizations is vital to the student learning experience,” said Methodist College President Dr. Kimberly Johnston. “Throughout their careers as healthcare professionals, students will be exposed to individuals from a variety of backgrounds and life experiences. We know that these community clinical experiences positively contribute to a holistic healthcare education.”

During their clinical experience at the YMCA, nursing students were able to learn about community and public health nursing and providing services to people in the community, rather than just at traditional medical clinics or hospitals. Gerontology students developed and presented health-related programs to members of the YMCA Silver Sneakers program. This afforded students the opportunity to see older adults as healthy and vital individuals who play an active role in their communities as they age.

Past recipients of the Methodist College Outstanding Community Clinical Partner Award include The Salvation Army, Peoria Public Schools, New Hope Apartments, the Adams Street Living Center, First United Methodist Church Peoria, the Central Illinois Agency on Aging and the East Peoria Community School District.