Briefs: YMCA and Cayuga Health partnership, DIA annual dinner, research grant

Cayuga Health System, YMCA of Ithaca announce partnership

Yesterday, Cayuga Health System and the YMCA of Ithaca and Tompkins County announced that they are entering a collaborative partnership to share resources and leverage unique assets, resulting in new services and offerings for the entire community with an emphasis on a continuum of care that is convenient and high-quality. “It’s important to note that we have competencies, capacities, assets that we can share, some efficiencies that we can achieve together to make both organizations more sustainable so that they can be there for the community,” said Martin Stallone (left), president and CEO of Cayuga Health, at a press conference held yesterday. “Indeed, one of the most exciting parts of this partnership is that we’re not sure exactly where it can go. Our hope is that other community-based organizations can lend their expertise to this partnership and synergize around improving the health of this community.” The YMCA offers over 53,000 square feet of space that includes two indoor swimming pools, a full-size gymnasium, racquetball courts, a nutrition center and more. As part of the agreement, new and enhanced programming will be introduced to the Y’s membership and community through the partnership that will include sports performance and injury-prevention clinics; clinical programs to help patients manage chronic diseases; expanded prevention and education services; active older adult education classes; flu vaccinations; biometric screenings; and nutrition classes. “It’s about prevention,” said YMCA CEO Frank Towner (right) at the press conference. “The YMCA has always been here ahead of the case of a broken knee or a heart issue. So, we want to continue that philosophy of prevention, and then it’s continuum of care after you’re hurt or injured or having a procedure.” Ryan Weese, chair of the YMCA Board of Directors, said that when the Board was first pitched the idea of the collaboration, “it was just a ton of excitement.” “There’s so much overlap between our two missions, between the hospital system and what the Y can offer. And so, there’s a ton of opportunity out there,” he said. State Assemblyperson Anna Kelles also attended the press conference and spoke to the benefit this partnership will bring to the county. “In health care, we are notoriously siloed; you go to one doctor for one thing, [and] you go to the next doctor for the other thing,” she said. “They actually might be connected, … but that message and that story can sometimes get missed. … And this merger is exactly that. It is an outside-the-box, exceptionally creative and exceptionally courageous recognition of the natural connection and marriage of health and our treatment systems.” For more information about the YMCA, visit ithacaymca.com. To learn more about Cayuga Health System, visit cayugahealthsystem.org.

 

Downtown Ithaca Alliance holds annual dinner

Hardworking and dedicated downtown Ithaca business owners and building developments were in the spotlight Aug. 24 as the Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA) presented five awards during its Annual Awards Dinner at Ithaca Marriott on The Commons. “So many people work hard every day to make downtown a successful and vibrant place. This ceremony is our opportunity to highlight and recognize a few people and businesses that support the shaping and growth downtown. The one common denominator for all of the awards recipients … a passion for downtown and the community,” said Gary Ferguson, executive director of the DIA. Among the awardees were Shortstop Deli (Business of the Year), Comics for Collectors (Retail Excellence and Commitment to Downtown), Hound and Mare (Emerging Business of the Year), Ithaca Marriott on The Commons (GO ITHACA Partner of the Year) and Harold’s Square (Development Project of the Year). In 2020, downtown became home to at least a dozen new businesses. Among them was a new eatery — this year’s Emerging Business of the Year, Hound and Mare. “Emerging businesses represent all segments of our economy — including technology, service, retail, and food and beverage. We choose to recognize Hound and Mare’s food and beverage business for its excellence and growth in 2020 and 2021 — even in the face of the pandemic. Co-owners and sisters Christine and Tam Lam have taken a dream and a passion and turned it into a successful and highly regarded place for baked goods, drinks, food and atmosphere,” said Ithaca Mayor Svante Myrick. For more information about Downtown Ithaca’s Annual Dinner and other Downtown Ithaca events, visit downtownithaca.com or email info@downtownithaca.com. In this picture: DIA Board of Directors President Ashley Cake (far left), Myrick (second from left) and Ferguson (far right) present the Emerging Business of the Year Award to Hound and Mare’s co-owner, Christina Lam.

 

Ithaca-based company awarded small business research grant

Performance Systems Development (PSD), an Ithaca-based company that provides energy efficiency programs and software services to utilities and their customers, was recently awarded an Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its proposed project, “Supercharging Standardized Asset Data with EnergyPlus.” This Phase II project will help expand the range of utility rebate incentives available to customers, reduce the costs associated with obtaining financial rebate incentives and help building owners improve the real estate value of their energy-efficient properties, according to a recent press release. Through the SBIR Grant funding, PSD will expand its engineering and software development teams in Ithaca and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “We continue to grow our data configuration services because of R&D grants like this,” said Rich Andrulis, director of product development and delivery. The SBIR program is a U.S. government program from DOE intended to help small businesses conduct research and development (R&D) to meet specific energy needs. PSD will use DOE funding to build software products that help states and utilities use energy efficiency to support the electrification of buildings as part of meeting climate change decarbonization goals. Key partners on the project include NYSERDA and Honeywell. “Utilizing these new software tools with our partners will help energy efficiency programs become more efficient and access deeper savings,” said PSD founder Greg Thomas, the project’s principal investigator. “They will also add more real estate value to the homes that are improved. These research and development investments are critical as we all work to decarbonize our buildings.” For more information on PSD’s available careers, please visit psdconsulting.com. In this photo: PSD staff members (left column, top to bottom) Kyle Perkins, Andrulis, Emmanuel Omere, (center, left to right) Kathy Greely, Chris Balbach, (right column, top to bottom) CEO Scott von Kleeck, Thomas and John Davis.