St. Ambrose University (SAU) is one of only 149 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by Exercise is Medicine® for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. Faculty and staff health coaching programs, walking groups, educational seminars and plogging initiatives helped SAU’s chapter earn silver level designation from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program.
“We are thrilled to recognize these campuses’ commitment to make movement a part of daily campus culture and give students the tools to cultivate physical activity habits that will benefit them throughout their lives,” said Robyn Stuhr, Vice President of Exercise is Medicine. “These campus programs are nurturing future leaders who will advance a key tenet of Exercise is Medicine: making physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in health care.”
SAU’s EIM-OC chapter was started in 2018 and currently has over 50 active student members. Led by Christopher Schwartz, PhD and Erica Thomas, DHEd, CHES, ACSM-PT, the group hosts a daily walking group, gym equipment training sessions as well as a host of health seminars to educate the campus on topics ranging from exercise and nutrition to behavior change and mental wellbeing. In Spring 2022, they started a one-on-one health coaching program that allows students to work closely with staff and faculty to meet their wellness goals. The students were trained on behavior change techniques and motivational interviewing skills to empower clients to engage in positive behavior change. In October of 2022, the group hosted Plog-o-ganza, a plogging event that combines walking and jogging while picking up litter around the community.
“I brought Exercise is Medicine to our campus to provide health and wellness resources and events to SAU and the surrounding community,” said Schwartz, SAU EIM-OC faculty leader. “What we want most from our program is to create an educational and accessible environment for everyone to engage in healthy activities and learn how to use it in their everyday lives. We hope to continue to expand our work beyond St. Ambrose campus, and to work with local health leaders and organizations to promote physical activity and wellness throughout the QC area.”
Of the 149 campuses recognized this year, 73 received gold, 55 silver and 21 bronze. All gold, silver and bronze universities and colleges will be officially recognized on June 1 as part of the 2022 Exercise is Medicine World Congress, held in conjunction with the American College of Sports Medicine’s Annual Meeting.
EIM-OC calls upon universities and colleges to promote physical activity as a vital sign of health and encourages faculty, staff and students to work together to improve the health and well-being of the campus community.
EIM-OC launched its recognition program in 2014 to honor campuses for their efforts to create a culture of wellness. Schools earn gold, silver or bronze status based on their activities. Gold level campuses have created a referral system where campus health care providers assess student physical activity and refer students as necessary to a certified fitness professional as part of medical treatment. Silver campuses engage students, faculty and staff in education initiatives and make movement part of the daily campus culture while bronze level campuses promote and generate awareness of the health benefits of physical activity. Click here to view a complete list of recognized schools and learn more about the EIM-OC program.
“I brought Exercise is Medicine to our campus to provide health and wellness resources and events to SAU and the surrounding community. What we want most from our program is to create an educational and accessible environment for everyone to engage in healthy activities and learn how to use it in their everyday lives."
Christopher Schwartz, PhD, SAU EIM-OC faculty leader
About Exercise Is Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) co-launched Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) in 2007 with the American Medical Association. ACSM continues to manage the global health initiative, which seeks to make physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in clinical care, connecting health care with evidence-based physical activity resources for people everywhere of all abilities. EIM is committed to the belief that physical activity promotes optimal health, is integral in the prevention and treatment of many medical conditions and should be regularly assessed and included as part of health care. Visit www.ExerciseisMedicine.org for additional information.
About the American College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 50,000 international, national and regional members and certified professionals are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. More details at www.acsm.org.
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