For the fifth consecutive year, Bellarmine University has earned Gold-level designation from the Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC) program.
Bellarmine is one of only 145 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by EIM, an initiative of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. Of the 145 campuses, 83 received
Gold-level designation, 44 received Silver and 18 received Bronze. All will be officially recognized on May 29 at the ACSM’s annual meeting in Boston.
“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 interim CEO
Katie Feltman. “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 healthcare.”
Bellarmine’s EIM-OC Leadership Team includes Dr. Thomas Wójcicki, associate professor of
Exercise Science and the team advisor; Dr. Alice Kimble, director of the
Office of Health Services;
and Emily Werner, associate director of Campus Wellness. The 2023-24 student representatives, all Exercise Science majors, are seniors Mac Conger, Lauren Marshall and Lexi Pierce and juniors Bhavik Patel and Trisha Sexton.
“This recognition shows that we have been successful in promoting physical activity through multiple events like Walk-with-a-Prof, Boost Booth and our ACSM Mascot Challenge video,” Conger said. “I think it is extremely rewarding to know
that our work is being seen and appreciated on a large scale.”
Given EIM’s overarching goal of making physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in clinical care, the Office of Health Services’ involvement has played a critical role in helping Bellarmine maintain its Gold-level status, as it
routinely collects and analyzes the physical activity-related data of students through its Wellness Assessment Form.
“A good healthcare provider does not simply treat symptoms; they consider the lifestyle of the patient and work with them as a partner, as so many health conditions can be traced back to our lifestyle habits,” Kimble said. “Physical
activity doesn’t only improve our health; it touches on other dimensions of wellness, such as social and emotional. It is a vital part of development of the whole person, which is a central part of our mission at Bellarmine University.”
The EIM leadership team partnered with Campus Wellness this spring to create a new referral program called ACTIVE Knights, a “fitness buddy” initiative aimed at increasing physical activity, improving overall well-being and forming connections
on campus. Participants are assigned to an ACTIVE Knights mentor who helps them accomplish wellness-related goals through physical activity and individualized support. The program is open to students, faculty, staff and community members.
EIM-OC launched its recognition program in 2014, and Bellarmine became an official member in 2019.
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. Bronze level campuses promote and generate awareness of the health benefits of physical activity.