Vice President Candidate

Carrie A. Jaworski, M.D., FACSM
Director, Division of Primary Care Sports Medicine
NorthShore University HealthSystem
Clinical Assistant Professor
University of Chicago
Pritzker School of Medicine
Glenview, IL

1.  Please list your previous service to ACSM.

I have been fortunate to serve ACSM in a variety of ways over the course of my membership. Currently, I serve as the Clinical Medicine Topical Representative on the Annual Meeting Program Committee. This will be my 5th year in this role and I have been a member of the Program Committee since 2007. In addition, I am on the Nominating Committee, the Medical Education Committee and the Task Force on Healthy Air Travel.  I am the section author of Scanning Sports Medicine for ACSM's journal, Current Sports Medicine Reports and have been a reviewer for Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise®.  I served as an elected Board of Trustees Member from 2008-2011 and was elected to serve on the Administrative Council in 2010-2011.  In addition, I have been an invited speaker for several of the ACSM Team Physician courses, have represented ACSM as an exchange speaker at the American Academy of Orthopedic Sports Medicine and am currently working on a joint effort with American Medical Society for Sports Medicine to expand our CAQ Board Review for physicians.  I have previously been a member of the Membership Committee and also served as the Co-Chair of the Endurance Medicine Interest Group.

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

Undoubtedly, the immense fund of knowledge, the shared passion to spread the word of healthy, active living and the vast experiences of our members is what continues to make ACSM a force to be reckoned with in the field of sports medicine. It never fails to amaze me when I learn of new research or the clinical accomplishments of our members.  While I have been fortunate to witness the continued growth and commitment of this membership over my time with ACSM, today's society is one that pulls each and everyone of us in hundreds of directions on a daily basis. Outside commitments and the desire for life balance has been a stumbling block that our group, as well as many other groups similar to ours, has had to contend with over the years. While the commitment of our membership has never been stronger or more vibrant, it will be essential to devise ways to enlist the help of our members in new and unique ways that can spread our message without spreading any one member too thin. In order to keep the energy of our membership strong, I see an opportunity to expand and develop the roles that currently exist at the local, regional and national levels in order to build the future leaders of ACSM earlier than ever before imaginable.  By expanding our armamentarium of roles within each subsection, we can sustain the energy of our proven leaders while also gaining new leaders and friends along the way.

3.  What is a second area of ACSM that you would like for the College to make additional progress, and how could that best be done?

 I would like to see ACSM enhance current partnerships as well as foster new relationships with likeminded organizations both nationally and internationally in order to further ACSM's mission. An essential piece that we can offer, and should highlight, is our ability to take research related to health and fitness from bench to bedside/playing field. Through partnerships, our message will reach larger audiences and make an even greater impact on the health of society. As the rates of obesity and inactivity continue to soar, it is imperative that we continue to develop ways to demonstrate the proof behind what we promote via a variety of platforms and partnerships. Our campaigns of "Exercise is Medicine®" and the "American Fitness Index™" are two shining examples of how we have been successful in fostering partnerships for the greater good. Continuing to have the ability to be center stage on topics such as obesity, disease prevention and sport safety are just several examples of where our translational research can send a positive message and make a difference.  

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

I play an advisory role for the Bank of America Chicago Marathon as it relates to their research as well as serve as one of their Lead Physicians. I have consulted with the City of Chicago's Mayor's Fitness Council and serve as the Medical Lead for NorthShore University HealthSystem's Sports Health & Performance Program.  These roles have taught me how to work with and promote fitness concepts and health issues within corporations, governmental agencies and large healthcare systems.