Skip to main content

Appalachian Today

News and events at Appalachian State University
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Accolades
  • Alumni
  • Arts and Humanities
  • Athletics
  • Awards and Honors
  • Community Engagement
  • Diversity
  • Events
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Gifts and Grants
  • Global
  • Health and Wellness
  • Publications
  • Research and Creative Works
  • Safety
  • Scholarships
  • Students
  • Sustainability
☰ Menu
  • Events
  • Webcams
  • Podcasts
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • Contact

App State recognized by Exercise is Medicine® for efforts to create culture of wellness on its campus

View larger image

Students participate in a spin class through University Recreation at Appalachian State University, prior to COVID-19. For its work during October 2019 to create a culture of wellness on campus, Appalachian is one of 166 universities and colleges around the world to have been honored by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise is Medicine® initiative. Photo by Chase Reynolds

“The Exercise is Medicine® On Campus initiative has helped us to find innovative, new ways to care for our students’ well-being, to get them more engaged in their health and to transform their understanding of the health benefits of exercise.”

Dr. E. Torre Hinnant, staff physician at Appalachian’s M.S. Shook Student Health Service

Compiled by Becki Battista
Posted May 11, 2020 at 5:02 p.m.

BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University is one of 166 universities and colleges around the world recently honored by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Exercise is Medicine® initiative for its efforts to create a culture of wellness on campus.

Appalachian earned gold-level designation from the Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program, one of only 77 institutions receiving this top distinction. Among the other schools honored, 62 received silver and 27 bronze.

“The Exercise is Medicine® On Campus initiative has helped us to find innovative, new ways to care for our students’ well-being, to get them more engaged in their health and to transform their understanding of the health benefits of exercise.”

Dr. E. Torre Hinnant, staff physician at Appalachian’s M.S. Shook Student Health Service

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.

Most notably, Appalachian’s collaborative projects to create a culture of wellness included the following series of activities in October 2019:

  • Implementing physical activity as a checked vital sign for all students at M.S. Student Health Service.
  • Writing exercise prescriptions for some students and referring them to a credentialed fitness professional housed within University Recreation to develop an exercise plan specific to their health needs.
  • Highlighting weekly programs for various campus communities that included faculty, staff and students.
  • Sharing of stories on University Recreation’s fitness Instagram account of how and why faculty, staff and students from across campus use exercise as a form of medicine.

All gold, silver and bronze universities and colleges will be officially recognized May 27 as part of the 11th World Congress on Exercise is Medicine, held in conjunction with ACSM’s 67th Annual Meeting.

“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.”

Dr. E. Torre Hinnant, staff physician at M.S. Shook Student Health Service, said, “We at Appalachian State University are honored to receive the gold-level designation by the American College of Sports Medicine Exercise is Medicine initiative.”

Hinnant continued, “Students, clinicians, staff and faculty have benefited greatly from the Exercise is Medicine events and projects on our campus and in the community. The exercise prescription and referral process was so successful last year that we are planning on expanding the program and including it with every Student Health Service visit in fall semester 2020. The Exercise is Medicine On Campus initiative has helped us to find innovative, new ways to care for our students’ well-being, to get them more engaged in their health and to transform their understanding of the health benefits of exercise.”

Appalachian’s Exercise is Medicine campuswide initiative grew out of a Student Well-being Improvement Team (SWIT team) housed in the Department of Wellness and Prevention Services in the Division of Student Affairs. This team of faculty, staff and students was brought together to advance education and outreach focused on physical activity and nutrition. The team formally began planning Exercise is Medicine projects in January 2018.

The following Appalachian faculty and staff worked on the campaign:

  • Gabby Dickey — assistant director for fitness, University Recreation.
  • Hinnant — staff physician, M.S. Shook Student Health Service.
  • Janna Lyons — nutrition specialist, Department of Wellness and Prevention Services; adjunct instructor, Department of Nutrition and Health Care Management.
  • Dr. Rebecca “Becki” Battista — professor, Department of Health and Exercise Science.
  • Stephanie McDaniel — exercise coordinator, Health Promotion for Faculty and Staff.

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.

To stay apprised of Appalachian’s future Exercise is Medicine opportunities or if you wish to collaborate, visit https://fitness.appstate.edu/eimappstate.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Appalachian joins national Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC) program
Appalachian joins national Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC) program
Oct. 30, 2018

Throughout October, students, faculty and staff at Appalachian are taking their medicine one push-up, one dead lift and one hike at a time by participating in the Exercise Is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC) program.

Read the story
How to stay physically active during COVID-19
How to stay physically active during COVID-19
March 18, 2020

App State’s Dr. Rebecca Battista offers tips and resources for staying physically active during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Read the story

About the Division of Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs at Appalachian State University is committed to the development of lifelong learners and leaders by engaging and challenging students within a culture of care and inclusion. The division consists of 16 units that offer activities and services to help students develop more fully by becoming global learners, fostering healthy relationships, appreciating diversity and different perspectives, understanding community responsibility, enhancing self-awareness, developing autonomy and living ethically. These units include the Career Development Center, Campus Activities, Office of Community-Engaged Leadership, Wellness and Prevention Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, Student Health Service, Parent and Family Services, University Housing, Student Conduct, University Recreation, Intercultural Student Affairs, Student Legal Clinic and Off-Campus Student Services, Electronic Student Services, Child Development Center, and Staff Development and Strategic Initiatives. Learn more at https://studentaffairs.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, affordable education for all. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.

“The Exercise is Medicine® On Campus initiative has helped us to find innovative, new ways to care for our students’ well-being, to get them more engaged in their health and to transform their understanding of the health benefits of exercise.”

Dr. E. Torre Hinnant, staff physician at Appalachian’s M.S. Shook Student Health Service

Appalachian joins national Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC) program
Appalachian joins national Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC) program
Oct. 30, 2018

Throughout October, students, faculty and staff at Appalachian are taking their medicine one push-up, one dead lift and one hike at a time by participating in the Exercise Is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC) program.

Read the story
How to stay physically active during COVID-19
How to stay physically active during COVID-19
March 18, 2020

App State’s Dr. Rebecca Battista offers tips and resources for staying physically active during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Read the story

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Share

Topics

  • Accolades
  • Awards and Honors
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Health and Wellness

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian

Share

Topics

  • Accolades
  • Awards and Honors
  • Faculty and Staff
  • Health and Wellness

Other Recent Posts

  • Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
    Student research and creative projects spotlighted at App State’s annual showcase
  • Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
    Will Sears appointed vice chancellor of university advancement at App State
  • N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
    N.C. Governor Josh Stein to address graduates at App State commencement
  • App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
    App State honors 29 students, faculty and staff with 2025 Awards of Distinction
  • App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    App State to offer AI concentration in master’s programs [faculty featured]
    WFDD
  • Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
    Campus emergency siren test to be conducted May 7
  • App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
    App State students help restore national wildlife refuge as part of Alternative Service Experience
  • Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
    Dr. Neva J. Specht appointed App State executive vice chancellor and provost
  • $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
    $2 million grant funds scholarships, supports STEM education for over 50 App State students
  • App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
    App State named Military Friendly School for 16th consecutive year, ranked a top 10 institution for 2025–26
  • Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
    Explore the future of business with new AI master’s degree tracks at App State
  • 12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide
    12th annual iBackAPP Day of Giving draws over 3,100 App State supporters worldwide

Archives

Appalachian Today is an online publication of Appalachian State University. This website consolidates university news, feature stories, events, photo galleries, videos and podcasts.

If you cannot find what you're looking for here, please refer to the following sources:

  • Podcasts may be found at Appalachian State University Podcasts
  • Stories and press releases published prior to Jan. 1, 2015 may be found in University Communications Records at the Special Collections Research Center.
  • A university-wide Google Calendar may be found at Events at Appalachian
  • Events
  • Videos
  • Galleries
  • In the News
  • Research & Arts
  • Awards
  • Experts
  • All News
  • Topics
  • Subscribe
  • For the media
  • COVID updates
  • Contact

App State

Copyright 2025 Appalachian State University. All rights reserved.

University Communications
ASU Box 32153
Boone, NC 28608
828-262-6156
[email protected]

Abouts

Disclaimer | EO Policy | Accessibility | Website manager: montaldipa (beltmr) .. | Website Feedback

Facebook Twitter YouTube Instagram LinkedIn Snapchat