Health and Wellness

Ohio State recognized for culture of wellness

The Ohio State University continues to create a culture of wellness on with receiving the top award by Exercise is Medicine®
By Josh Winn, MS, NBC-HWC
March 28, 2024

Ohio State is one of only 145 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. The comprehensive approach towards wellness has helped Ohio State earn 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. This designation signifies the university is committed to:

  • Making movement a part of the daily campus culture
  • Assessing physical activity levels for faculty, staff and students
  • Providing individuals with the tools necessary to strengthen healthy physical activity habits that can last a lifetime
  • Connecting university healthcare providers with university health fitness specialists to provide a referral system for exercise prescription

Making physical activity the norm in our culture is a top priority here at Ohio State, as there is a strong body of evidence to support its positive effects on physical health and mental/emotional well-being. Eighty percent of chronic diseases are preventable with healthy lifestyle behaviors, and physical activity is a key tactic in the equation. We are thrilled to be recognized again with EIM gold status and are committed to continuing to sustain it!

Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN
Vice president for health promotion & chief wellness officer

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They enrich the culture of health and wellness for faculty, staff and students.

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. 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.

Katie Feltman Interim CEO, American College of Sports Medicine

Of the 145 campuses recognized this year, 83 received Gold, 44 received Silver and 18 received Bronze. All Gold, Silver and Bronze universities and colleges will be officially recognized on May 29 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 where campus healthcare 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.

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.

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.