CSULB Recognized for Efforts to Create Culture of Wellness on Campus
California State University, Long Beach Recognized by Exercise is Medicine® for Efforts to Create Culture of Wellness on Campus
CSULB is among 149 Campuses Honored Worldwide
California State University, Long Beach 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. Utilizing physical activity and exercise as a vital sign at the university while providing diverse programming, leadership, and community engagement helped CSULB earn gold level designation from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program. This is the 9th straight year that gold level status has been achieved.
“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.”
Over the past year, the university has made significant strides in promoting physical activity on campus. As Director of the Program and Fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine, Dr. Joshua A. Cotter, Ph.D., explains: "We held an EIMO-OC month, hosted several events throughout the year to promote physical activity, and conducted several workshops and seminars on exercise and physical activity. Additionally, we measure physical activity as a vital sign through the Student Health Center and provide physical activity prescriptions and referrals." The university's commitment to promoting physical activity extends beyond simply measuring it. As Dr. Cotter notes, "We also offer health and fitness counseling to students, faculty, and staff, and track patient participation and progress in physical activity interventions. These efforts demonstrate our dedication to improving the health and well-being of our campus community." Additionally, Giovanni Montoya, President of the Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIMOC) student organization, states, “We have successfully educated students from various majors about health resources and optimal physiological function to promote healthier lifestyles on campus.” EIMOC is continually accepting new members and those interested are encouraged to visit the EIMOC Instagram page (@eimoc_csulb).
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 in Denver, Colorado as part of the 2022 Exercise is Medicine World Congress, held in conjunction with the American College of Sports Medicine’s Annual Meeting. According to Dr. Cotter, "This designation is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire campus community. We are proud to be recognized for our efforts and remain committed to promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles on our campus."
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/.
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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.
