March 22, 2022, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – Grand Rapids Community College’s Exercise Science program is one of 156 universities and colleges in the nation and five in Michigan honored by Exercise is Medicine for efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.
Exercise is Medicine is a collaboration between the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Medical Association. Launched in 2007, the effort encourages making 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.
GRCC’s Exercise Science program earned the organization’s gold level designation, with representatives to be honored at the American College of Sports Medicine’s annual meeting in June. The program is one of 73 earning the gold designation, with 60 colleges earning silver and 23 earning bronze.
“Exercise is Medicine on Campus is a program calling upon universities and colleges to engage in the promotion of physical activity as a vital sign of health,” GRCC professor Melanie Schiele-Gady said.
“Exercise is a prescription that aids in brain health, body health, and quality of life. We need to continue to educate our campus on the importance of exercise, how to properly exercise, and get everyone working toward the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans guidelines from U.S. Department of Health and Human Services that is evidence-based guidance to help Americans maintain or improve their health through physical activity.”
Exercise is Medicine’s On-Campus Committee 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.
The organization launched its recognition program in 2014 to honor campuses for their efforts to create a culture of wellness.
“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,” Exercise is Medicine Vice President Robyn Stuhr said. “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.”
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.
Michigan State University, Grand Valley State University, and Central Michigan University also earned gold recognition, and Michigan Tech University earned silver recognition.