Established in 2017, EIM annually recognizes significant accomplishments in the field through the presentation of the EIM Global Leadership Awards, which are announced at the beginning of the Morris-Paffenbarger-Blair EIM Keynote Lecture.
In 2025, the U.S. recipient is a true pioneer in the field of physical activity and health promotion, Dr. James (Jim) Skinner. Jim has been an integral part of the ACSM since 1964, a Fellow since 1968, and ACSM President in 1979. Through the years, he has served ACSM in virtually every capacity – as a committee member, chair, trustee, officer – and has left an indelible mark on the College. Jim has also been a part of EIM since its inception, helping guide its international growth and working tirelessly to expand the mission of EIM to every corner of the world. Jim also served as the EIM Topical Rep on the ACSM Program Planning Committee, organizing and developing EIM colloquia, symposia, and keynote speakers as a part of the EIM World Congress and the ACSM Annual Meeting for nearly a decade. Jim embodies the heart of EIM through his deep belief in collaboration across disciplines, cultures, and generations.
The international recipient of the 2025 Global Leadership Award goes to Drs. Richard Marine and Milagros Almonte of EIM República Dominica (RD). Established in 2015, EIM RD was the first, and only, EIM National Center in the Caribbean. Richard, Milagros and the EIM RD team are recognized as national experts in physical activity promotion, serving on the scientific committee and ensuring the inclusion of EIM in the 2022-23 National Physical Activity Plan, developing training programs for future physicians with UNIBE, a leading medical school, providing EIM certification for hundreds of current healthcare providers, and conducting public educational initiatives and health screening for non-communicable disease prevention and treatment through physical activity and health diets. The impact of EIM RD extends beyond the borders of their country. Richard and Milagros have received funding from several partners to provide EIM trainings to healthcare providers throughout Central America including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Panama, while presenting EIM at numerous regional health conferences.
We proudly recognize our 2025 EIM Global Leadership awardees and thank them for their immense contribution to expanding the global impact of EIM.
