Dr. Robert Sallis, president of Exercise Is Medicine global initiative, WLU professor Dr. Jason Metz and Dr. Carena Winters, president of Exercise Is Medicine campus initiative.

WLU Earns Wellness Gold at National Conference

While attending the National Conference of the American College of Sports Medicine held in Minneapolis recently, Dr. Jason Metz, West Liberty University assistant professor of exercise physiology, received a Gold recognition award for the Exercise is Medicine program that he began earlier this year at WLU.

“This was the first time I attended this academic meeting, and it was immensely valuable. The contacts I made will certainly help our students in the future,” he said.

At the conference, 88 schools were recognized for Exercise Is Medicine initiatives, and about a third earned the Gold Distinction, which represents the highest standard for campus involvement.

Begun by the American Medical Association (AMA) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), Exercise Is Medicine promotes health through physical activity and assesses a person’s activity level as a vital sign of health. WLU is one of only two West Virginia colleges or universities taking part in the program

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Metz also was a research poster presenter at the national conference. His poster was a summation of his doctoral research on rowing ergometers.

Metz joined WLU’s faculty in fall of 2016. He completed his doctoral degree in 2017 at the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to that, he earned a master’s degree in exercise science from California University of Pennsylvania and earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Frostburg State University.

He has trained and consulted with professional and Olympic-level athletes and recently took up the sport of mountain bike racing.

The Bachelor of Science Degree Program at West Liberty University is part of the College of Education and Human Performance, led by Interim Dean Dr. Cathy Monteroso and is housed in Main Hall.

For more information, contact Metz at 304.336.8831 or Dr. Ryan Koenig, program director, at ryan.koenig@westliberty.edu.