Longwood’s efforts to create a healthier campus have received top honors in a worldwide assessment—an achievement just 54 other universities can boast.
In the 2019 Exercise is Medicine awards, Longwood was named a gold level designee thanks to its unique partnership between Campus Recreation, Counseling and Psychological Services, and the University Health Center. The designation marks the university’s commitment to assessing physical activity, hosting monthly wellness events, and organizing a variety of fitness classes.
“I was ecstatic to hear that Longwood received Gold Status during the first year we have been part of this program,” said Alina Cioletti, Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness. “We wouldn’t have been able to be as successful as we were if it wasn’t for the hard work our Student Wellness Ambassadors put in this year, the partnerships we’ve made on campus, and the collaborations we’ve had with other departments. I’m looking forward to seeing how we can continue to grow next year.”
Longwood is one of only 139 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by Exercise is Medicine.
“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.”
The partnership between Campus Recreation, Counseling and Psychological Services, and the University Health Center is integral in being recognized as a gold level designation. These three departments have worked together to track physical activity among the campus community as well as offered opportunities for students to work with a personal trainer for free. Longwood has also encouraged the campus community to be involved with physical activity in a variety of ways. These things include small group fitness classes and workshops at Midtown Fitness Performance Center, group fitness classes at the Health and Fitness Center, Longwood Bikes rental program, the Wellness and Benefits Fair, Glowga, and other monthly wellness events.
Of the 139 campuses recognized this year, 55 received gold, 56 silver and 28 bronze. All gold, silver and bronze universities and colleges will be officially recognized on May 29 as part of the 2019 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.
View a complete list of recognized schools and learn more about the EIM-OC program at https://www.exerciseismedicine.org/support_page.php/eim-on-campus/.
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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