Pitt-Bradford named silver campus by Exercise is Medicine

Exercise is Medicine, a program of the American College of Sports Medicine, has named the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford a silver campus.

Dr. Mark Kelley, assistant professor of exercise science and EIM organizer, accepted the award at the Exercise is Medicine recognition program at the ACSM's annual meeting in Orlando, Fla.

Pitt-Bradford is one of only 139 universities and colleges around the world selected by the ACSM for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.

Pitt-Bradford held its Second Annual Exercise is Medicine on Campus week in October. The week included an inaugural president and dean's walk, along with a presidential proclamation declaring October as Exercise is Medicine on Campus Month.

“I am very excited to have earned silver-level recognition in our second year of the program after earning bronze level last year,” said Dr. Mark Kelley, assistant professor of exercise science and EIM organizer.

“The campus community has definitely embraced the Exercise is Medicine movement through Exercise is Medicine on Campus week and health assessments conducted throughout the year. The support from exercise science students, the EIM-OC advisory board and the faculty, staff, administration and students that participated in any of the activities that we held was tremendous. We hope to expand the program and activate the Physical Activity Vital Sign physical assessment on campus in the near future. Ultimately, we hope to achieve a gold-level campus.”

Of the 139 campuses recognized this year, 55 received gold, 56 silver and 28 bronze. 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 in which 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.