Groundbreaking Achievement: American College of Lifestyle Medicine Launches Nation’s First Comprehensive Academic Pathway for Lifestyle Medicine Certification

The Florida State University (FSU) College of Nursing has become the first school in the country to be officially recognized by the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) as a Full Academic Pathway program. This important achievement means FSU’s program is committed to providing in-depth education in lifestyle medicine.

The process for obtaining the lifestyle medicine certification starts with two key requirements: attending an approved conference and completing 30 hours of online continuing medical education (CME) courses. Master’s and doctoral programs in health can help students fulfill these prerequisites by becoming recognized by ACLM as either Partial or Full Academic Pathway programs.

Partial Academic Pathway programs must include at least one course covering a significant portion of the Interdisciplinary Lifestyle Medicine Core Competencies. Graduates from these programs have already satisfied the conference attendance requirement. Currently, there are 72 such programs across the nation.

On the other hand, Full Academic Pathway programs incorporate lifestyle medicine into their entire curriculum. They feature certified faculty and have an active Lifestyle Member Interest Group (LMIG) on campus. ACLM supports these programs by offering the Foundations of Lifestyle Medicine Board Review course at discounted rates. They also provide resources like the Lifestyle Medicine 101 Curriculum and the Taste of Lifestyle Medicine initiative to enhance students’ learning experiences.

With Full Academic Pathway programs, students automatically meet both the conference and 30-hour CME requirements upon graduation. This means they are well-prepared to take the certification exam immediately after completing their studies.

According to Dr. Alicia Craig-Rodriguez, a clinical professor at FSU, this designation reflects the rigorous training and education students will receive. She emphasizes that the program offers a “deep dive” into lifestyle medicine.

Lifestyle medicine focuses on using lifestyle changes to treat and often reverse chronic health issues like heart disease and diabetes. Certified clinicians learn to promote whole-person health through evidence-based strategies that encourage a healthier lifestyle, including a plant-based diet, regular physical activity, sufficient sleep, effective stress management, strong social connections, and avoidance of harmful substances.

The development of these academic pathways was partially funded by the Ardmore Institute of Health, which supports lifestyle medicine education.

ACLM CEO Susan Benigas praised FSU for its forward-thinking approach. Graduates from this program will enjoy significant savings on certification costs and gain an edge in the job market, as more employers recognize the importance of lifestyle medicine in health care.

ACLM is dedicated to transforming healthcare by advocating for lifestyle medicine as a fundamental aspect of medical training and practice. Through this approach, they aim to address the root causes of chronic diseases and improve overall health outcomes while managing healthcare costs.