Michigan State University is one of only 166 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by the American College of Sports Medicine, or ACSM, Exercise is Medicine® initiative for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. For the fifth year in a row, MSU earned gold level designation from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus, or EIM-OC, program.
The MSU EIM-OC program was started in 2014 and is lead by the Department of Kinesiology and health promotion department within Student Health and Wellness. The program is active on campus with events and programs such as the Annual Healthy Homecoming Walk, De-stress for Success Finals events, a registered student organization and a physical activity mentoring program, ACTIVE Spartans.
"It is pleasing to see how far this campus has come with respect to promotion of physical activity and exercise through the EIM-OC program over the past few years" said Jim Pivarnik, faculty adviser for the program, the director for the MSU Center for Physical Activity and Health and professor in the Department of Kinesiology.
Of the 166 campuses recognized this year, 77 received gold, 62 silver and 27 bronze. All gold, silver and bronze universities and colleges will be officially recognized on May 27 as part of the 11th World Congress on Exercise is Medicine, held in conjunction with ACSM’s 67th Annual Meeting.
“The EIM-OC RSO brought my passion to live in a community where everyone values their physical and mental health to life. Helping to start and lead the EIM-OC RSO has given me and the student’s the chance to set a foundation for the community to understand the importance of daily activity. Through my experience with the RSO I have loved seeing my peers find relief and joy though exercise,” said Sydney Avery, president of EIM-OC RSO.
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. Campuses recognized on the gold level 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.
"Over the past five years we have seen the incredible impact of Exercise is Medicine on both students and our university community when it comes to emphasizing opportunities for physical activity on our campus," Kristin Traskie, EIM-OC Leadership team and Fitness and Wellness Program coordinator. "I’m looking forward to seeing how we can continue to grow.”
For more information on the MSU EIM-OC Initiative please visit healthpromotion.msu.edu