"This exercise program is an excellent example of how UWF students are applying what they've learned in real-world settings to make a difference," said David Bellar, dean of the Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. "I am incredibly proud of their hard work and commitment to improving the health and well-being of our community, and I look forward to seeing the long-lasting impact of their efforts."

The Health & Hope Clinic collaboration was originally developed out of a conversation between Bellar and the clinic's executive director, Sally Bergosh, as well as other UKCOH faculty and HHC staff. A need was identified by HHC to provide some type of fitness class for diabetic patients in their Fresh Fruits & Veggies program. HHC wanted to find a way to specifically target those whose conditions would greatly benefit from participation in exercise.

Bonnie Rieland, HHC chief clinical officer, and Dr. Amy Crawley, instructor in the Department of Movement Sciences and Health, provided guidance for undergraduates students Mia Derosa, pre-med exercise science major, and Madison Long, pre-PA exercise science major, to start an exercise program at the clinic called "Get Fit With Us." Derosa and Long began building the "Get Fit with Us" program at the clinic by creating flyers to advertise the program, pre-screening participation forms, informed consent forms, forms to track the participants' progress, and coordinated obtaining equipment with Dr. Chris Wirth, Chair of the Department of Movement Sciences and Health. Once they had all the administrative requirements filled, they started recruiting patients at the clinic who could benefit from exercise.

"We started the program in September and held classes every week that were available to patients, their friends and family, and anyone who wanted to participate," Derosa said. "The main goal was to make people aware of the benefits of exercise, encourage and motivate them to do it on their own time, and help improve their conditions with consistent exercise training and nutritional recommendations."

Derosa said all fitness tests and labs improved for each participant after two months of participation in the exercise program.

"We had such a positive response to the program that I have decided to continue the program beyond the two months," Derosa said. "Sally, the executive director, 'warns us' during our orientation that we might 'catch the clinic bug' and just be totally obsessed with this place and what they do and she is definitely right. This has been such an educational and rewarding experience, I am so excited for future students that get to come 'catch the bug' and continue to teach these exercise classes."

Long is grateful for the opportunity to form a bond with the program's participants and be a part of the Health and Hope Clinic's first exercise program.

"One participant came on the first day with slides on," Long said. "Due to the lack of mobility, he was unable to put on tennis shoes. In the last week of the program, he nonchalantly walked with tennis shoes on his feet and a grin on his face. This program can improve quality of life for its participants. The Health and Hope Clinic has an incredibly uplifting atmosphere and the whole experience has been immensely rewarding."