About the Center for Health & Wellbeing
In August 2015, the Winter Park Health Foundation (WPHF) proudly announced plans for development of the Center for Health & Wellbeing (previously referred to as Project Wellness). As a not-for-profit organization, WPHF is dedicated to building a healthier community through a creative mix of grants, initiatives, partnerships and facilities.
The Center for Health & Wellbeing (The Center) is a state-of-the-art, unique healthy living center focused on improving the quality of life for residents from Winter Park, Maitland, Eatonville and the surrounding area. It will be the home of an all-new Peggy & Philip B. Crosby Wellness Center (which has been serving the community since 1989). In addition, The Center will feature a wide variety of programs to help empower members of the community to be healthier and full of vitality. Scheduled to open late 2018, it will be a special place where WPHF will collaborate with other not-for-profits and groups with similar goals.
Since 1999, WPHF has conducted a Community Health Assessment every five years to assess the health status of local residents. The results of this study underscore the need for the Center for Health & Wellbeing. Over half are living at an unhealthy weight. Over one quarter have health risks which lead to chronic disease conditions, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, prediabetes or diabetes. At the same time, while 80% of local residents say caring for their health is very important, over 60% report they are less active than they want to be. There is also a documented desire among community members for more awareness and education about how to improve health, yet only 20% report participating in related learning opportunities. The new Center for Health & Wellbeing will provide a unique place for WPHF and its partners to provide needed services.
Every element of the new facility has been intentionally designed to enhance the neighborhood. The mission-driven architecture draws its inspiration from the healing power of nature, transforming WPHF property into a series of gardens and a natural light-filled, central building surrounded by walking paths. The Center for Health & Wellbeing is not just a building, but a place designed to be experienced and to facilitate interactions between Wellness, Fitness and Medicine.
The Foundation believes in the power of collaborations to truly improve health and our future. Since it began serving the community as the Winter Park Health Foundation in 1994, it has worked with and supported hundreds of organizations who share a common vision. Partnerships are also central to the success of the Center for Health & Wellbeing.
The Peggy & Philip B. Crosby Wellness Center will offer state of the art fitness facilities and programs for its members. It will also be a Medical Fitness Association Certified Facility.
In a major announcement made on February 22, 2017, WPHF and Florida Hospital shared their plans to collaborate on efforts related to Medicine within the new Center. Florida Hospital will own and oversee the clinical spaces and medical services located within the Center for Health & Wellbeing. In addition, the two organizations will co-own and work together on many spaces and programs designed to promote Wellness.
The Winter Park Health Foundation and Florida Hospital/Winter Park Memorial Hospital believe true wellness is much more than physical health, exercise or nutrition; it is the full integration of physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing. Together, the partners embrace the philosophy that we must move beyond a mindset solely focused on the management of disease and work together as a community to prioritize prevention and proactive strategies. In planning the services, programs and activities which be based at and emanate from the new Center, emphasis will be placed on seven dimensions of wellness critical for healthy living and aging.
- Emotional
- Environmental
- Intellectual/cognitive
- Physical
- Professional/vocational
- Social
- Spiritual
The Center for Health & Wellbeing is not just a building, but a place designed to be experienced and to facilitate interactions between Wellness, Fitness and Medicine.