Meet John Jacobs

Say hi to John Jacobs! John is the Director at the TriHealth Fitness and Health Pavilion in Cincinnati, OH. He has been at TriHealth for one year but has spent 10+ years in hospital-based wellness centers.

John earned his BS in Kinesiology at James Madison University in VA and his MBA in Healthcare Administration from Quinnipiac University in CT. John is also an active member of the MFA Certification Committee and serves as a Site Certifier for those facilities that are seeking MFA Certification. (Thanks, John!)

We caught up with John recently and here’s what he had to say.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
Healthcare is transitioning in many ways, creating opportunities for our team to be more directly involved than ever before. Being able to collaborate with physician and administration leaders to leverage our programs and services is highly rewarding. But nothing is more enjoyable as when those relationships lead to successful outcomes for our team members and patients.

What led you to choose this field?
I started off my career working with college athletes and after a few months, realized it was not the path for me. I quickly jumped into a sales position with a retail/medical model in the Northeast, and then transitioned into non-profit wellness centers.

After a couple years, I was recruited into corporate wellness where I was lucky to join an organization that provided me with first class professional development and my entry into medical fitness. The impact was monumental, experiencing the convergence of patient and member, prevention and disease management; it all synced.

What advice would you give to those just coming into this field of medical fitness?
Always ask questions, explore other industries for insights, and continually sharpen your axe. The industry is in its infancy; and anyone, or organization, who thinks they have it figured out – does not. We need to continually innovate.

Why did your facility become a member of the Medical Fitness Association?
As the first medically certified center in the country, we fully believe in the mission and vision of the Medical Fitness Association. Our membership and certification has facilitated opportunities across our health system and beyond to be a recognized provider of safe and results-oriented healthcare.

Thank you, John and all the best as you continue to innovate!