NiCole Keith, PhD, FACSM, has been elected president of the American College of Sports Medicine, a national organization with more than 50,000 members and certified professionals who represent more than 70 occupations in sports medicine and exercise science.
She will assume her leadership role as president-elect of the national organization at the board meeting that concludes ACSM’s 66th Annual Meeting May 28-June 1 in Orlando, Florida. Her presidency will begin in June 2020.
Renowned for her research in community activation and physical fitness, Dr. Keith has been instrumental in Indianapolis health initiatives such as the Eskenazi HealthyMe program and the development of the Chase Near Eastside Legacy Center.
Dr. Keith, a research scientist with the Regenstrief Institute and a professor and associate dean of faculty affairs at the School of Health and Human Sciences at IUPUI, has specialized in participatory research and health equity over the course of her decades in research.
“Dr. Keith’s work has been instrumental in bringing greater health equity to Hoosiers, and providing a blueprint for communities in the rest of the country to improve their health,” said Peter Embí, M.D., M.S., Regenstrief president and chief executive officer. “Her efforts in community activation have improved countless lives in our city.”
Kathleen Unroe, M.D. MHA, part of the Regenstrief leadership team, “Dr. Keith has been a vital influence, guiding us toward greater community engagement. She continues to inspire her colleagues to conduct research that is relevant to the communities they serve.”
In addition to her research with Regenstrief and the School for Health and Human Sciences, Dr. Keith has also co-created the Physically Active Residential Communities and Schools (PARCS) program, which provides low-cost fitness and wellness services to urban Indianapolis neighborhoods.
As president of the American College of Sports Medicine, Dr. Keith will participate in determining, monitoring and strengthening the organization’s programs and services. She will also help ensure resources are adequate to fulfill the organizational mission of advancing and integrating scientific research to provide educational and practical applications of exercise science and sports medicine.
