University of Southern Maine

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Joan Benoit Samuelson to Help Students Launch USM Fitness Club

February 1, 2005

With Maine's high incidence of chronic diseases, obesity on the rise, and increasing healthcare concerns for employers, the importance of educating individuals on the benefits of developing a healthy lifestyle has increased dramatically. Two University of Southern Maine nursing students, with the help of 1984 Olympic Gold Medalist Joan Benoit Samuelson, are hoping to boost health education outreach in the USM community by launching a fitness group for USM students, faculty, and staff.

Team USM is a free running/walking/biking club for USM students, faculty, and staff of all fitness levels. The club kicks off at 12 noon, Thursday, February 3, during an opening reception in USM's Woodbury Campus Center Amphitheater on the Portland campus. Scheduled to speak are Joan Benoit Samuelson, co-chair of the Maine Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports; Tim Monfort, a USM alumnus who lost 150 pounds through diet and exercise; and USM President Richard L. Pattenaude.

Team USM was developed by USM senior nursing students Gail Burgess and Emily LeVan, winner of the 2004 Sportshoe Maine Marathon, Women's Division, with a course record of 2:39:54, in partnership with USM's Women's Resource Center and Healthy USM. The pilot club will provide opportunities to participate and compete in athletic events as a team, as well as access to health education and fitness information and resources.

USM student health education initiatives, like Team USM, are designed by USM nursing students for course credit during their junior or senior year. The two-semester course is offered as part of a co-curricular service learning opportunity created in partnership between USM's College of Nursing and Health Professions and University Health Services. Based on interests and campus needs, students participating in the collaborative course team up with on-campus experts to develop and deliver health education programming for USM students. This year's student projects range in topic from smoking and tobacco cessation and promoting healthier weight loss to meditation and breast-feeding.

Editor's Note: For help arranging coverage, call Lynn Novak or Judie O'Malley at USM's Office of Public Affairs at 780-4200. They also can be reached at home at 892-7131 (Novak) or 839-6402 (O'Malley).

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