NW Missouri Times

Northwest Missouri State University has been acknowledged by Exercise is Medicine (EIM) for its dedication to fostering a culture of wellness on campus. Dr. Tina Gaa Pulley, an assistant professor at the university, expressed her enthusiasm for the recognition, stating, “EIM-OC provides a setting for Northwest to serve as a microcosm that can help to educate and inspire students, faculty and staff to work together to promote physical activity on campus.”

The university's commitment to promoting physical activity as a vital sign of health has earned it a gold-level designation from the EIM-OC program. Northwest is one of 83 campuses worldwide to receive this prestigious recognition. The Exercise is Medicine initiative aims to encourage collaboration among faculty, staff, and students to enhance health and well-being in the campus community.

Dr. Pulley emphasized the long-term benefits of integrating physical activity into the daily campus culture, stating, “The time and effort Northwest commits to make movement a part of daily campus culture will benefit students the rest of their lives while nurturing future leaders who will advance a key tenet of Exercise is Medicine.”

In addition to promoting physical activity, the university's Campus Recreation program offers a variety of intramural activities throughout the year, providing students and employees with opportunities to stay active. The goal at Northwest is for every student to graduate with improved health and fitness, as well as to become advocates for the benefits of regular physical activity.

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), which oversees the Exercise is Medicine initiative, commended campuses like Northwest for their commitment to making physical activity assessment and promotion a standard in health care. Katie Feltman, the interim chief executive officer of ACSM, praised the recognized campuses for nurturing future leaders who will advance the importance of physical activity in healthcare.

Northwest's dedication to promoting wellness on campus aligns with the mission of Exercise is Medicine to integrate physical activity into clinical care and provide resources for individuals of all abilities. The university's efforts to create a culture of wellness have not gone unnoticed, and its gold-level designation reflects the hard work and commitment of the entire campus community.