BALTIMORE, MD—A $30,000 pledge by Freedom Federal Credit Union has made possible the opening of “Square Fitness,” an associate gym at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, to support the emotional and physical well-being of hospital employees.

Michael MacPherson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Freedom, along with Carmen David Mirabile, Freedom Senior Vice President of Marketing and Patrice Ricciardi, Senior Director Business Development, presented a giant check representing the commitment on September 7 to hospital President and Senior Vice President of MedStar Health, Stuart Levine, MD, FACP.

“This means so much to me and my family,” said Dr. Levine, whose family also contributed to the costs of the gym. “But more importantly, it means so much to our associates, and to our learners, our residents, and our medical students. This is something that our internal community has asked for, for years. It far predates when I came here as president. I couldn’t be more pleased to celebrate the opening of this facility for our care providers.”

The gym, open to all MedStar associates, is located on the second floor of the hospital. It features two treadmills, ellipticals, bikes, strength-training fusion trainers, weight benches, along with one rower, a set of free weights, and a water bottle filling station. All equipment is from NordicTrack’s commercial line and will be linked to iFIT® technology, allowing access to fitness classes, structured workouts, and instruction.

“This type of endeavor, this gym, it’s more than just the physical equipment, it’s about the emotional health, the mental impact on members of our community. This was an opportunity to do something meaningful for MedStar associates, and that’s what this partnership is all about,” MacPherson said.

Freedom Federal Credit Union provides financial products and services in Harford and Baltimore County and is a long-time philanthropic partner to MedStar Health. The not-for-profit previously supported patient-centered initiatives at the MedStar Health Bel Air Medical Campus.