Of the 156 campuses recognized this year , 73 received a gold designation , 60 received silver , and 23 received bronze . Next year , WVSOM will go for gold , Pankey said , by incorporating physical activity vital signs , or PAVS , with its partner the Robert C . Byrd Clinic . Gold status includes implementing a referral system and routine physical activity evaluations by healthcare providers .
“ Exercise has immense benefits for a variety of clinical presentations ,” Pankey said . “ We live in an area at the epicenter of the obesity epidemic and the associated comorbidities . We have a huge opportunity to make a difference . By implementing physical activity prescriptions , we could make an impactful change in the community , which is a great way to serve West Virginia and our institution ’ s mission in an area we are passionate about .”
In addition to identifying patients who perform less than 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity , a referral system from the clinic would be implemented to connect patients with local exercise specialists trained in individualized exercise prescriptions for different diseases and conditions , making it easier for physicians to discuss exercise with patients , DeMartino said .
Another goal DeMartino has to allow WVSOM to achieve gold status is to incorporate PAVS into students ’ clinical skills classes .
“ I am hoping between the new elective and including PAVS in
WVSOM ’ s curriculum , more physicians will feel comfortable talking about and recommending exercise ,” she said . “ I am hoping if our future physicians don ’ t feel comfortable prescribing exercise , they can still identify which patients will benefit most and refer them to an exercise specialist or exercise physiologist .”
DeMartino is passionate about the Exercise is Medicine program and believes it is an important way to extend treatment options beyond pharmacological treatment .
“ I believe most students came to WVSOM because we wanted to find a treatment method that best suits our patients , which includes osteopathic manipulative medicine but should also include exercise as medicine . Exercise improves quality of life and decreases mortality and morbidity ,” she said . “ When patients inquire about health advice and physicians don ’ t recommend exercise , it is unlikely the patient will make it a priority . Exercise is a less invasive treatment with fewer side effects and should be considered a first-line treatment for most patients .”
Image : WVSOM . Christopher Pankey , Ph . D ., WVSOM assistant professor of physiology , and Samantha DeMartino , WVSOM Class of 2025 , helped bring the Exercise is Medicine On Campus program to the Lewisburg-based medical school . The program promotes the idea that exercise is an integral part of healthcare and that movement should be part of the daily campus culture .
WVHA and WVSMA to Host Joint Annual Meetings
November 13-15 , 2022
Physicians and hospital leaders are joining together to learn from each other and share common interests during the Health Care Leadership Summit . The Summit will combine the annual meetings from both Associations and will offer shared educational sessions , as well as networking opportunities . Leaders from the hospital and physician communities are collaborating to expand the discussion on improving West Virginia ’ s health care delivery system .
The meeting will be held November 13-15 at The Greenbrier . Please mark your calendars and plan to join us !
For additional information , contact the West Virginia State Medical Association ( 304 ) 925-0342 or the West Virginia Hospital Association ( 304 ) 353-9723 .
West Virginia Medical Journal • June 2022 • 39