Health and Wellness

The Ohio State University receives top award by Exercise is Medicine® for efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus

April 1, 2022

COLUMBUS, OH – The Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program has awarded gold status to The Ohio State University for the second consecutive year for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.

Ohio State’s gold status – the highest recognition from the EIM-OC program – signifies that teams empowered by the Office of the Chief Wellness Officer, Exercise is Medicine Club and the One University Health and Wellness initiative partners are encouraging faculty, staff and students to work together toward improving the health and well-being of the campus community by:

  • 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

Research has definitively shown the far-reaching benefits of exercise; even as little as ten minutes of mild movement can improve brain connectivity, enhance memory and elevate mood. So it’s a natural extension of our academic mission to ensure we’re supporting our students, faculty and staff to prioritize their physical health every day to maximize their ability to succeed. The national recognition of our efforts is both welcome and well-deserved, and I thank those who make these important programs possible as we continue to cultivate healthy habits for our campus community.

Kristina Johnson, PhD President, The Ohio State University

Programs that enrich the culture of health and wellness for faculty, staff and students

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 disease is preventable with healthy lifestyle behaviors, and physical activity is a key tactic in the equation. We are thrilled to be recognized with EIM gold status and are committed to sustaining it!

Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN vice president for health promotion, university chief wellness officer and dean of the College of Nursing at Ohio State

Of the 156 campuses recognized this year, 73 received gold, 60 silver and 23 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.

“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.”

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.

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.