Fitness Plus earns certification

The Medical Fitness Association has named Saint Francis Medical Center's Fitness Plus as one of seven facilities to receive its medical fitness facility certification.

Launched in 2008, the certification program involved an in-depth review of Fitness Plus' adherence to certain guidelines. Among the 148 factors considered during the process were written policies and procedures regarding ability to appropriately respond to all emergencies, health-risk reduction programs, health screening and focus on community health improvement.

Founded in 1991, the Medical Fitness Association is an American Hospital Association affiliate that provides educational programs, professional development, industry standards, benchmarks and networking to its more than 3 million members nationwide.

Doug Friese, director of Fitness Plus, said his management staff of 10 met weekly for six months to ensure they were prepared for the certification process, which included a three-month review of the facility's certification application and a June onsite visit by Medical Fitness Association representatives.

"It's something long overdue," Friese said. "If I was a consumer looking for a fitness center to join, the first thing I'd do is see if they were a certified center. This is another honor that shows that we run our center at such a high standard."

Fitness Plus, which opened Sept. 28, 2004, at 150 S. Mount Auburn Road in Cape Girardeau, was named in 2005 by the Medical Fitness Association as the "Number One Medical Fitness Center in the Country Open Less Than Three Years." Fitness Management magazine also recognized the facility for program innovation, administrative management and facility design in 2007.

Fitness Plus offers include fitness equipment, three aquatic pools and an indoor track. It employs 75 people.

bblackwell@semissourian.com

388-3628

Pertinent address:

150 S. Mount Auburn Road, Cape Girardeau, MO