(Indianapolis, IN) – The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) today announced Kristin A. Traskie, M.P.H., ACSM-CPT, as the ACSM Certified Professional of the Year during ACSM’s 25th anniversary International Health & Fitness Summit. Traskie is the inaugural recipient of the award. ACSM’s Committee on Certification and Registry Boards (CCRB) selected this year’s winner for demonstrating exceptional leadership, motivation and instructional skills, as well as the ability to inspire clients to achieve health and wellness goals.
“Congratulations to Kristin on this well-deserved recognition,” said Christie Ward-Ritacco, Ph.D., chair of ACSM’s Committee for Certification and Registry Boards. “She represents the best of the fitness industry, and we applaud her passion and dedication to make a positive, lasting impact in her community and the world.”
As part of a feature in ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal® Kristin reveals her professional development, along with how she plans to serve.
As the fitness and wellness coordinator in the Health Promotion Department at Michigan State University (MSU), Traskie’s mission is clear: Create a culture of health and well-being on campus and in the surrounding community. Traskie is an ACSM Personal Trainer® certified and holds an Exercise is Medicine® Level 1 credential along with certifications from several other organizations. She uses research-backed knowledge from those fitness certifications to create holistic wellness and movement opportunities. Her work through MSU’s Health Promotion Department, Exercise is Medicine® on Campus initiative, Well-Being Coalition and The SPARTANfit Fitness and Wellness Program is improving health outcomes and life satisfaction for students. Traskie holds a B.S. in Wellness, Health Promotion and Injury Prevention from Oakland University and an M.P.H. from Old Dominion University.
“Thank you, ACSM. I am so honored to receive this award,” said Traskie. “Whether I am personalizing an exercise program to help someone achieve fitness goals, leading our campus in a community health initiative or advocating for built environment interventions to increase physical activity, my certifications have boosted confidence in my ability, knowledge and competence to successfully make a positive impact.”
ACSM created the Certified Professional of the Year award to recognize excellence in the exercise profession. It also acknowledges the education and training ACSM health fitness professionals obtain and the important role that training plays in providing evidence-based programming for clients.
“ACSM is more than a certification,” adds Traskie. “It leads the way in lifelong value, helping certified professionals like me accomplish professional goals and grow as individuals. Plus, ACSM has connected me with an alliance of passionate advocates committed to helping individuals live healthier lives.”
Traskie was among three finalists selected for the inaugural award. Alexis Batrakoulis, M.S., ACSM-EP, ACSM-CPT, EIM Level 2 and David Geslak, ACSM-EP, were the other finalists. Learn more about the finalists and award at acsm.org/get-stay-certified/certified-professional-of-the-year.
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About the American College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world. More than 50,000 international, national and regional members are dedicated to advancing and integrating scientific research to improve educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine. More details can be found at www.acsm.org
