UMO Takes a Stand for Healthy Living with Exercise is Medicine Proclamation
UMO Takes a Stand for Healthy Living with Exercise is Medicine Proclamation
MOUNT OLIVE- Statistics have proven that at least 30 minutes of exercise, three days a week can: decrease diabetes; reduce general anxiety; decrease the risk of hip fracture in post-menopausal women; decrease dementia; reduce the risk of heart disease; lower cardiovascular related death; improve quality of life; and the list goes on and on. Yes, it is a proven fact that exercise yields the biggest return on investment for your health!
On Monday, October 5, UMO President Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter signed a document proclaiming October is Exercise is Medicine Month at the University of Mount Olive. Partnering with Exercise is Medicine On Campus (EIM-OC), UMO plans to participate in exciting events that will focus on exercise, health, and other disciplines that support the EIM-OC initiative. The American College of Sports Medicine started the EIM-OC initiative in order to impact current physical inactivity in the nation. EIM-OC is designed to engage the students, faculty and staff in ongoing efforts to improve fitness, health and wellness across campus with the possibility for community outreach.
The EIM-OC leadership team with full support from UMO administration consists of Kendall McKinney, a senior exercise science major; Nicholas Greyno, a senior exercise science major; JoAnn Morgan, the director of health services; Mike Garrett, director of Pope Wellness Center; Cordelia Wilcox, director of Human Resources; Jaime Kylis-Higginbotham, assistant professor of exercise, and Dr. Mark Deaton, associate professor of exercise science. This team of individuals, along with other campus organizations and volunteers is planning a variety of activities for the month of October to include: exercise activities, a walk-a-thon, a lunch-n-learn, an American Heart Association Heart Walk, the 3rd annual Trojan Trot, lectures, etc. The events will target students, faculty, staff, families, and neighbors. The EIM-OC leadership team will pair up with the Mount Olive Pickle Company and the Mount Olive Family Practice to promote awareness and improve fitness at UMO and the surrounding community.
Deaton summed it up best, “Personally, given that physical inactivity is the major health crisis of our time, I would like to think that we are doing our part to change this conundrum. We will never know how many lives were saved or lengthened, how many individuals truly experienced a better quality of life, but I am happy knowing that we answered the call!”
For more information about Exercise is Medicine Month at UMO, call or email Dr. Deaton at 919-658-7870 or mdeaton@umo.edu, or visit www.exerciseismedicine.org.
The University of Mount Olive is a private institution rooted in the liberal arts tradition with defining Christian values. The University, sponsored by the Convention of Original Free Will Baptists, has locations in Mount Olive, New Bern, Wilmington, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, Research Triangle Park, Washington, Jacksonville, and in Smithfield at Johnston Community College. For more information, visit old.umo.edu.
On Monday, October 5, UMO President Dr. Philip P. Kerstetter (right) signed a document proclaiming October is Exercise is Medicine Month at the University of Mount Olive. Seated with Kerstetter is Dr. Mark Deaton, associate professor of exercise science. Standing in the background are students and faculty from a UMO exercise science class. The photo was taken inside Pope Wellness Center on the UMO Campus.