CMU has been recognized by Exercise is Medicine for five years running

CMU is one of only five universities in the State of Michigan and 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. Both our Counseling Center and Health Center assess and promote physical activity of all patients. In addition, the Exercise Science department provides personal training programs for students and faculty. CMU has earned the highest- Gold level -designation from the Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC) program for its fifth year in a row!

“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.”

Dr. Rachael Nelson, professor of Exercise and Health Sciences with The Herbert H. & Grace. A Dow College of Health Profession indicated, “it is exciting to be part of the Exercise is Medicine Initiative on CMU’s campus working with faculty, staff, and students to support the physical and mental well-being of our students.”

CMU is thrilled to be a Gold Level Campus from the EIM-OC program. Over the past five years, CMU has continued to practice this model by looking at exercise in the same way we analyze vital signs. There are also free physical activities and exercise programs for faculty, staff, and students as well as the promotion of movement as part of the daily routine. This program continues to work with health clinics on campus to ask patients about their exercise behaviors as well as educate patients on the various programs we offer. Additionally, there is collaboration with the medical school and physician assistant program for annual meetings with students to discuss how exercise can improve health in the absence of weight loss and drug therapies.

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.

View a complete list of recognized schools and learn more about the Exercise is Medicine On Campus program.