Health and Wellness

Ohio State Recognized for Culture of Wellness

The Ohio State University Recognized by ACSM’s Exercise is Medicine® Program for Creating a Culture of Wellness on Campus 
By Josh Winn
April 21, 2026

The Ohio State University is one of 193 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by Exercise is Medicine® (EIM) for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on its campus. Fitness programs through Recreational Sports, The Healthy Lifestyle Initiative, the Faculty & Staff Fitness Program, The Amazing Race, and the annual OSU Indoor Triathlon helped Ohio State earn a gold-level designation from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program. Exercise is Medicine® is a community-impact initiative of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). 

“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 CEO Katie Feltman, CAE. “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.”  

“Earning Gold-level recognition affirms our commitment to creating a culture of well-being where faculty and staff are supported to thrive. By making movement throughout the workday a norm, we reinforce that well-being is essential to our shared values at Ohio State.”

Megan Amaya
Director of Health Promotion & Wellness

Learn more about the highlighted programs that promote a movement at Ohio State

At Ohio State, we believe that a student’s optimal level of success can best be achieved through a holistic approach to well-being, from intellectual and career wellness, to physical and emotional wellness and beyond. This Gold designation is a direct reflection on this commitment and our dedication to helping Buckeyes engage, learn and thrive. By encouraging our students to live a life in motion, we are also supporting students in performing at their best, in all facets of their Ohio State journey.

Melissa Shivers, PhD
Senior Vice President for Student Life

Of the 193 campuses recognized this year, 94 received Gold, 35 received Silver, 17 received Bronze and 47 renewed their active status. All Gold, Silver, Bronze and renewed universities and colleges will be officially honored on May 27 at the EIM recognition ceremony at ACSM’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 in which campus health care providers assess students' physical activity and, as needed, refer them 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. Bronze-level campuses promote and generate awareness of the health benefits of physical activity. Renewed schools are actively developing and enhancing their programs, positioning themselves for advancement in the recognition system.  

  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 of all abilities everywhere. 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.