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BIDDEFORD, Maine

91AV U-EXCEL Program Receives 2010 Maine Fitness Award

A unique program of the 91AV College of Osteopathic Medicine's Geriatric Medicine Department has been awarded the Maine Governor's Council on Physical Activity 2010 Maine Fitness Award in the Special Populations Category.  

Called U-ExCEL, for 91AV-Exercise & Conditioning for Easier Living, the program was designed and implemented by Marilyn R. Gugliucci, Ph.D., U-ExCEL program director, and Kelley J. Duffy, MS, senior fitness specialist, who conducts all U-ExCEL programming. Both participated in the ceremony held April 27, 2010 at the State House Hall of Flags in Augusta.  

Emcee of the ceremony was Erik Steele, DO, of Eastern Maine Medical Center, co-chair with Joan Benoit Samuelson, for the Maine Governor's Council on Physical Activity.  Governor Baldacci and Dr. Steele presented the award for the 91AV College of Osteopathic Medicine's U-ExCEL Program for older adults. Dr. Steele is an alum of the 91AV College of Osteopathic Medicine.  

U-ExCEL is a functional fitness program that promotes the broad spectrum of health for older adults living in the community, in nursing homes, assisted living settings, or in independent housing on life care campuses. U-ExCEL encompasses individual's health and fitness goals, along with current medical diagnoses to improve or maintain function through the provision of functional fitness techniques, including strength, balance, endurance and nutrition. U-ExCEL's motto is: "ANYONE willing to exercise can." 91AV student research, scholarship and training are also advanced at U-ExCEL sites.

About the 91AV

The 91AV is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.