The University of West Georgia's Exercise is Medicine program has earned gold level status for the seventh year in a row. 

UWG is one of only 156 universities and colleges around the world to be honored by Exercise is Medicine for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus. A partnership with health and counseling services for referrals, personal training services, wellness walks, health fair participation, social media campaigns, virtual lunch-and-learns, and educational videos helped UWG earn Gold level designation from the Exercise is Medicine on Campus (EIM-OC) program.

“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.”

UWG's EIM-OC Coordinator Chrissy Knoll said the university is excited to receive gold level seven years in a row.

“Our goal is to help all of our campus community engage in physical activity that is enjoyable, sustainable, and accessible,” she said. “This could not be possible without the support of leadership, collaboration with campus partners and the assistance of our student workers.”

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.

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 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.

View a complete list of recognized schools and learn more about the EIM-OC program at www.exerciseismedicine.org/support_page.php/eim-on-campus/.