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.