Two former American College of Sports Medicine presidents will speak on campus as part of the College of Education and Health Professions' WE CARE Speaker Series.

Barry A. Franklin and Elizabeth A. Joy, two world-renowned fellows of the ACSM, will speak at a special symposium titled "Exercise is Medicine: Translating Science to Action" at 6 p.m. Oct. 17 in the Graduate Education Building's auditorium (GRAD 163).

The campus community and the public are invited to attend. A virtual option via Zoom is also available. After registering for the event, attendees will receive an email with instructions about joining the webinar.

"Our Exercise is Medicine On Campus program has achieved a lot since its inception, recently culminating in receiving the recognition of Gold Status from the American College of Sports Medicine," said Nicholas Greene, professor and director of the U of A's Exercise Science Research Center. "The 'Exercise is Medicine: Translating Science into Action" event will highlight these works and help provide the groundwork for our campus and community to continue to enhance these programs and promote health through physical activity."

Exercise is Medicine is a major global health initiative managed by the ACSM, which aims to incorporate physical activity assessment and promotion as a standard in clinical care and connect health care with evidence-based physical activity resources for all.

At the U of A, Exercise is Medicine On Campus is both a registered student organization working to promote a culture of wellness on campus and a research lab led by associate professor of exercise science Erin Howie Hickey and graduate assistant Kristin Jett.  

This lecture is the third in the ongoing WE CARE Speaker Series, an initiative of the college's WE CARE strategic plan featuring lectures by prominent scholars with broad appeal in education and health.

Following Franklin and Joy's presentations, local and national members of the physical activity and healthcare spaces, including former ACSM president J. Larry Durstine, Becky Todd, and Debbie Deere, will join them for a panel discussion and Q&A with the audience.

Franklin served as president of the American College of Sports Medicine from 1999-2000 and currently holds fellow status. He is the director of preventative cardiology and cardiac rehabilitation at Corewell Health at William Beaumont University Hospital. He has authored over 700 peer-reviewed publications on physical activity and cardiovascular health. 

Joy is currently the chief medical officer for Lore Health after serving as senior medical director for Wellness and Nutrition at Intermountain Health. She was elected president of the ACSM from 2016-2017 and is currently chair of the Exercise is Medicine Governance Board.

The national Exercise is Medicine On Campus recognition program was launched in 2014 to honor campuses that encourage collaboration to improve the health and well-being of the community.

Those interested can visit the event's website for more details.