Nicole Mason, BS, ACSM CPT, PAPHS
Say hi to Nicole Mason, the Fitness Manager at ProMedica ForeverFit in Toledo, OH (an MFA Certified Facility). Nicole has been with ProMedica ForeverFit for the last 5 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Health Promotion and Education (Exercise and Fitness) and she is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Exercise is Medicine Specialist Level 1, and Physical Activity and Public Health Specialist Certification (PAPHS).
We caught up with Nicole recently and here’s what she had to say…
What do you enjoy the most about your work?
I enjoy collaborating with my team, physicians and clinicians in other hospital departments, and the community to develop clinical exercise programs that promote healthy lifestyle choices using nutrition, chronic disease management programming, and health and wellness education.
What has been your favorite initiative at ForeverFit?
There have been many successes at ForeverFit, but the most recent is the integration of our Foundations of Fitness Cancer Survivorship program. This program is designed to help those newly diagnosed, currently undergoing, or have completed cancer treatment, to learn and experience the benefits of exercise under the supervision of our Clinical Exercise Specialist. This program provides participants with a safe exercise environment where they can perform their customized workout designed by one of our Clinical Exercise Specialists. They also receive weekly education on different health and wellness topics and two nutrition sessions with our Certified Oncology Dietitian.
The Foundations of Fitness program is funded through a grant obtained by the ProMedica Cancer Institute. This allows us to offer the class for free to all participants and as a result we had 69 referrals to the program in just 3 months. The first group of participants are just completing the 8-week program but already we are seeing a 25% increase in muscular strength and endurance, 34% increase in flexibility, and a 5% increase in VO2 max.
Our goal is to incorporate grants into all our clinical programs to prevent cost from being a variable to learning how to exercise safely under the supervision of a trained and educated Exercise Physiologist.
What one piece of advice would you give to those just coming into this field of medical fitness?
Be consistent and professional with the communication and data that you send and present to your referral sources. The post program results as well as positive feedback from their patients show the value and quality of the programs and services offered by a Certified Medical Fitness Facility. This can lead to more referrals and collaboration with other departments.
Also, take the time to connect with professionals in other fields such as nutritionists and physical therapists. This allows you to help your clients by referring them to specialists with avenues outside of your scope of practice, as well as them providing you clientele back.
What did your facility gain by becoming certified by the Medical Fitness Association?
As a hospital-based fitness center the Medical Fitness Facility Certification provided an extra level of credibility and respect to our clinical exercise programs and services. The physicians see ForeverFit as another wellness tool to help their clients manage and reduce the symptoms of chronic disease. They know our programs are safe because they have been reviewed by our medical advisory board and are facilitated by a degreed and credentialed Exercise Specialist. Because of our Medical Fitness Certification, the hospital system and our referring physicians now recognize us as part of the continuum of care.
What do you like to do outside of work?
I enjoy taking adventures to new places. My husband and I will pack up our RV and our dog Grace and explore a new site each summer. We have traveled up to Traverse City, Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, and many places in our state of Ohio. Not sure what this year’s adventure will be, but I am excited.
Thank you, Nicole, for sharing your journey with us and thank you for all you do for those battling cancer!
