Trustee Candidate: Medicine

Nailah Coleman, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Children’s National Medical Center
Department of Pediatrics
and Orthopaedics
Washington, DC

1.  Please list your service to ACSM.

I have had the pleasure of serving ACSM in a variety of areas over the past several years.  My service participation has typically fallen within one of the following general categories: diversity and advocacy, clinical practice, and education.

Within the general category of diversity and advocacy, I have participated in ACSM’s Strategic Health Initiative on Health Equity (2012), ACSM’s Diversity initiatives and ACSM’s Think Tank on Developing a National Roadmap to Reduce Health Disparities through Physical Activity and Lifestyle Behavior Change (Washington, DC 2011), ACSM’s Leadership and Diversity Program as a Level Three Participant (2011) and mentor (2012), National Youth Sports Health and Safety Institute (Board Member 2011-present), and ACSM’s Exercise is Medicine® for the Underserved Committee (2010-present)

My clinical service to ACSM includes presenting five cases at national and/or regional meetings, serving as a discussant at national meetings, maintaining sports medicine clinics at home, and serving as a team physician for local teams and race events.
Education is a passion of mine, and I have enjoyed contributing to ACSM’s education efforts.  I have participated in the critical review of book chapters for ACSM publications and presentations for the Team Physician Courses and Advanced Team Physician Course meetings.  I direct a sports medicine rotation for trainees of all levels at my organization.

2.  What is ACSM’s greatest strength and how would you make that aspect of the organization even stronger?

ACSM’s greatest strength is its mission statement: "The American College of Sports Medicine promotes and integrates scientific research, education, and practical applications of sports medicine and exercise science to maintain and enhance physical performance, fitness, health, and quality of life."

Having a strong and clear mission is inspiring, both to members and the public, attracting both to our organization.  It demonstrates our commitment to health and wellness and the uniqueness of our goals.  It sets forth the value upon which we develop our programs and services.
I plan to ensure that our members know our mission and speak our mission as they pursue activities in their work environments, in their communities, and at the regional, national, and international levels.  For example, we can include our mission with all official mailings (as a headline or as signature) and perhaps, create a quick one-line statement that can be easily remembered and expressed by our members.

3.  ACSM works closely with many other organizations, including associations, companies, philanthropies, and governmental agencies. Indicate those organizations/companies/agencies for which you play an advisory, consulting, or leadership role.

Currently, I serve as a board member for the National Youth Sports Health and Safety Institute, whose missions includes “advancing and disseminating the latest research and evidence-based education, recommendations and policy to enhance the experience, development, health and safety of our youth in sports.”  I am also a member of AMSSM’s program planning committee for the 2013 annual meeting and serve on its Publications Committee.  I am also affiliated with the AAP’s Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness.