Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital .................................................... 28 Meet Sumter Family YMCA's CEO

Health & Wellness 'Natural progression'

Sumter YMCA group trainer climbs to be new CEO

BY SHELBIE GOULDING

Missy Corrigan’s

first day at the Sumter YMCA was as a group exercise instructor. Last summer, she became the health and wellness center’s first new leader in 10 years.

October 2022 marked the 47-yearold's 14th year with the YMCA. In her career, she's climbed the ladder to group exercise director, director of healthy living, associate executive director, executive of community health and interim CEO at the Sumter YMCA. "I just kind of went from part-time to a coordinator to full-time and then just kind of worked my way up to the executive team," Corrigan said. "I knew I wanted to be CEO one day, but I didn't know it would be happening this fast."

However, this wasn't something Corrigan ever asked for. It was just a natural happening. "This isn't something that I was like, this is what I'm going to do. I think just my passion in developing my leadership competencies over the years just brought me to this position,” she said.

Even Mary Kolb, Sumter YMCA Board president, said it was a "natural progression" that fell into place. The executive committee of the board made the final say so in Corrigan's career change, but the board gave an idea as to who could fill the position based on qualifications set by YMCA of the USA and Leighann Sibal, of Thriving Y. "Those two entities really were the ones to do the interview and came up with the job description," Kolb said.

Kolb said Corrigan was the perfect fit as the next chief executive officer based on the qualifications. She has even watched her progress since day one at the Sumter YMCA. "The first time I met Missy was 14 years ago, and she was a group fitness instructor. And she was amazing," Kolb said. "She's inspired a lot of us to get into shape and get fit."

Kolb described Corrigan as energetic, encouraging, smart, driven and a team player, all a balanced mix that makes up the perfect chief executive officer who is an encouraging and supportive "servant leader" to the community. "I am honored to have this opportunity to serve as the Sumter YMCA CEO," Corrigan said. "I am excited to move forward and work with the Sumter Y team to advance the mission of the Y, achieve positive growth and be a vital partner for community change."

Corrigan's interest in the position was piqued when she realized what she could do for the community's health at a higher level. "Community health is really where I shine. I love it. I'm very, very passionate about it," she said. "My focus was bringing evidence-based health initiatives to the community."

Corrigan has her master’s degree in community health education from Mississippi University of Women after receiving her Bachelor's Degree in Education from Samford University and a Master's in Education from the University of Alabama. She also has several professional development certifications. "With my background with my education and everything, it just kind of was exactly what I was looking for, and it blossomed over the last five to six years."

In her time at the Sumter YMCA, Corrigan has helped build partnerships in the community, only growing her vision every year for what a healthy Sumter could look like. "I really want to have a strong team and build our capacity so that we can really address the needs of the community and flex with the everchanging needs. Just make sure that our systems and our practices are in place to make sure that we remain relevant and that we can sustain what we're doing for years to come," she said. "We are about to celebrate our 110th anniversary for the Sumter community, and I think the YMCA is a vital part of the community, a center part of the community, and our goal is to be the center of the community. Not just a community center."

A lot of the initiatives Corrigan has put in place and will expand on includes a fitness program, Y Fit, that she created and partnered with a successful clinical study; it has expanded from Sumter throughout the state and North Carolina. She helped bring the International Natural

Bodybuilding Federation South Carolina championship to Sumter amid the pandemic. She has also expanded YMCA's programs to local community centers, schools and senior centers to reach those that can't reach the YMCA. "Building those relationships, talking with the people, working together to address the most critical needs," Corrigan said. "Mental, physical, we want to be there through it all." Her most recent obstacle she's aiming to overcome as the new CEO is one that's rocked YMCAs across the state and nation. "I really have a big challenge of developing the healthy living department and bringing it back to where we had all of our community health programs," Corrigan said. "We had a big transition during the last two years of COVID. We weren't running any programs, and now we have a lot of new directors, so it'll be a lot of coaching and training and making those connections with the relationships that we already had with those organizations and the new directors."

From gymnast to trainer of bodybuilders, Corrigan is a chief executive officer with many talents and athletic capabilities. She also regularly writes health and wellness columns for The Sumter Item.

Outside of the YMCA, Corrigan is a military spouse and mother. She is the mother of two children - Emma, 14, and Noah, 12 - that she shares with her husband, Lt. Col. Ryan, an F-16 and 777 FedEx pilot currently active duty at McEntire Joint National Guard Base.

However, Corrigan said she's the same person in and outside of the job. Her passion for living a healthy lifestyle blends with the YMCA's mission. "I'm the same person whether I'm here or at home," she said. "My values are exactly the same, and that's why the YMCA seems like home to me. I don't have to change who I am."

Aquatics – Swim lessons for youth and adults; swim teams for ages 5-21; Lap swim and fitness swim.

Athletics

Basketball: Leagues for youth (ages 5-15) OctoberFebruary and men (ages 25 and up) SeptemberOctober; personal training and clinics for youth (ages 7-16).

Flag football: Leagues for youth (ages 7-13) MarchApril.

Soccer: Leagues for youth (ages 3-8) March-April.

Gymnastics – Classes from preschool to adult; competitive team for girls; cheer and tumble clinics; birthday parties.

Summer camps – For ages 3-14. Camp Mac Boykin, specialty camps (aquatics, basketball, gymnastics and nutrition).

Fitness – Personal training; group exercise classes; nutrition consultations; Enhanced Fitness (program for individuals with arthritis); Exercise Is Medicine (bridge program from physical therapy); Women On Weights (program on proper mechanics for lifting).

Wellness

YFIT: 8-week educational program looking at all aspects of lifestyle and how to overcome barriers and make changes to improve personal well-being. No fee with physician referral and complimentary membership.

StrongHeart: 12-week program for heart attack and stroke survivors or individuals at risk for both. Medical clearance from physician necessary to participate.

Diabetes Exercise Program: 12-week activity/ educational program. No fee with physician referral. Medical clearance from physician necessary.

Blood Pressure Self-Monitoring Program: 16week program that is a 1-on-1 with a Healthy Heart Ambassador to track and improve blood pressure. No fee with physician referral.

Youth – Birthday parties; afterschool programs; Kids Night Out event monthly.

Active Older-Adult Activities – Arts and crafts; monthly movies; holiday-themed activities; field trips.

Scholarships

Assistance is available for membership and programs. (Forms located on website or at front desk).

— Compiled by Bruce Mills