As spring arrives for many of us, it is hard to believe that I am rounding out my year as your president. Words cannot express the gratitude I feel for our entire ACSM community and the trust that you placed in me to help lead this organization through both routine governance as well as many unexpected hurdles and challenges. None of the work this year would have been possible without the amazing support of ACSM staff, our exceptional executive team and Board of Trustees, our dedicated volunteer leaders, and all of you. I continue to be inspired by the strength of our members’ contributions to education, research, advocacy, and mentorship—all while keeping the mission of ACSM at the forefront of everything we do.
Coming together at the annual meeting
I am thrilled that many of us will have the opportunity to gather for the ACSM Annual Meeting in Salt Lake City at the end of May. This year’s meeting feels especially personal to me, as Utah is now the place I’m proud to call home! I’m particularly looking forward to showing off the amazing ways we get to enjoy outdoor movement here in The Beehive State!
The annual meeting has always been one of the most important ways that we connect as ACSM members—not just to share science and best practices, but to build relationships that shape our work long after the meeting ends.
As someone who has been part of ACSM for many years, I’ve experienced firsthand how these moments of connection lead to new ideas, collaborations and lasting professional relationships. There is something unique and invigorating about being in the same space with colleagues who share a common purpose and commitment to advancing our field. I encourage you to take full advantage of that time together, whether you are presenting, learning, reconnecting with colleagues, or meeting someone new.
I am also very excited to introduce more opportunities for movement throughout the meeting! Be on the lookout for a week-long movement challenge (information and tracking will be in the mobile app). ACSM’s Southwest Regional Chapter has also planned fitness challenge activities you can participate in at the Member Hub for extra credit.
Moving Together to Move Forward
Speaking of movement for all, throughout my presidency, I’ve focused on the idea that to move forward, we must move together. That concept comes to life most clearly in moments like the annual meeting, but it also guides how we think about ACSM more broadly.
The work of the Moving Together to Move Forward Presidential Task Force is off to a terrific start. This dynamic group is taking a thoughtful look at how ACSM can better align our efforts, strengthen connections across our multidisciplinary community, and create more accessible opportunities for members to engage. This includes exploring ways to better connect our work across key areas such as research, education, advocacy, mentorship, and governance, while also strengthening how we collaborate internally and externally.
This is critically important work, and I’m beyond grateful to those who are contributing their time, energy, and perspective. I look forward to sharing more as this work progresses.
Your voice and your role
As a member-driven organization, one of the most important opportunities to have your voice heard is at the Town Hall held Wednesday, May 27 from 11:45-12:45 p.m. MT during the annual meeting. Your voice helps shape not only where we are today, but where we go next. Fellows will be voting on two constitutional amendments, and there will be a facilitated and important discussion around governance matters that can impact what ACSM looks like moving forward. I’d personally appreciate everyone’s attendance as we look to make strides in securing ACSM’s future as the world leader in sports medicine and exercise science.
Thank you
Thank you again for the opportunity to serve as your leader and your voice over the last year. And thank you for the many ways that you continue to contribute to ACSM and to advancing our vision of movement for all. Whether it is through advocacy, mentorship, research, and/or education, each of you helps to strengthen our community and bring us closer to achieving this goal. The importance of our community cannot be overstated. I implore you to continue to be curious, to question, and, most importantly, to set an example for the next generation of ACSM leaders. TOGETHER, I am certain we will go far. I look forward to connecting with many of you in the months ahead.
With heartfelt appreciation,
Carrie A. Jaworski, MD, FACSM, FAAFP
President, American College of Sports Medicine
