NYC Health + Hospitals announced Thursday the expansion of its lifestyle medicine program to NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi in the Bronx.

It’s the first of six new sites expanding upon a pilot program launched at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue back in 2019, aiming to heal patients through a holistic approach.

“The way that we’re different is we do a lot of listening,” said Michelle McMacken, executive director of nutrition and lifestyle medicine at NYC Health + Hospitals.

The nine-month program offers support to adults living with preexisting health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. They provide individual counseling sessions, weekly exercise classes, culinary training and monthly food deliveries.

Skyler Myres, a patient at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi, says it’s working.

“My sense of confidence is starting to return, and I can move around easier,” she said. “Exercise is not such a big deal anymore and the best thing is the friends that I’m making here.”

Patients of NYC Health + Hospitals can join the program by getting a referral from a health care provider. Those who are not a patient can call 347-507-3695 to see if you qualify.