Ken Ecker, professor of Health and Human Performance at UW-River Falls, monitors a student on the treadmill.

UW-River Falls Professor Ecker Honored for Sports Medicine Efforts

January 4, 2016--One of the nation's premiere sports medicine organizations has honored a University of Wisconsin-River Falls professor for his work in the field. Kenneth Ecker, a professor in the Health and Human Performance Department and a Fellow member of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), has received the 2015 Clinical Exercise Physiology Professional Achievement Award from the Midwest American College of Sports Medicine (MWACSM) for his efforts throughout the year.

"When I received the award, I was caught completely off-guard and very surprised," Ecker said. "Looking at all the qualified professionals from the six state region of MWACSM that could have been selected for this award, made it a truly humbling and honorable experience to be recognized by my professional peers."  

The organization lauded Ecker's research, including an ongoing study into the health of UWRF's faculty and staff. Ecker has received several grants to understand the health status of university employees compared to other occupations.  

"In the majority of higher education settings, the health of university employees has largely been overlooked," he said.  

Ecker was also recognized for the development of a novel, multi-disciplinary phase 3-4 cardiac rehabilitation program on campus. Developed with the support of Hudson Hospital, the Heart Plus Wellness (HPW) program will allow students in the Clinical Exercise Physiology program to gain practical experience while helping cardiac-rehab patients regain and improve their fitness and heart health.

In addition, Ecker has played an integral role in enhancing the clinical focus at the MWACSM annual meeting by facilitating a partnership with the Clinical Exercise Physiology Association (CEPA), an affiliate of ACSM.

The MWACSM chapter is composed of six states in the region. Their Professional Achievement Award recognizes the achievements of professionals from that region. Recipients must have at least one significant achievement in the past calendar year in areas like research, publications, philanthropy or patient/client-related successes.

For more information, call Ecker at 715-425-0635 or email kenneth.ecker@uwrf.edu.