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Exercise as Medicine for Chronic Disease
$0.00
GCC Main Campus
Many patients are told to “focus on diet and exercise” without clear guidance on what that actually means. This three-part workshop series provides the clarity and tools needed to turn that advice into action. Participants can attend one, two or all three events; each workshop will be a unique learning experience, and is not contingent on the other workshops.
Led by Maria Stevens, MD—a family medicine physician and experienced fitness educator—Exercise as Medicine for Chronic Disease explains how physical activity works in the body and why it is one of the most effective tools for managing chronic illness.
Participants will gain a practical understanding of how exercise improves health, reduces symptoms, and supports independence. The series focuses on conditions common in older adults, including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, autoimmune disease, chronic kidney disease, pulmonary disease, depression, and anxiety.
Rather than offering general advice, the workshops will cover:
- How exercise affects the body
- Why movement improves specific health conditions
- Which types of exercise deliver different benefits
- How strength, endurance, balance, and mobility each contribute to health
- How to begin safely with pain, fatigue, or chronic illness
- How to build a realistic weekly routine
The core message: exercise is not just a lifestyle choice—it is medicine.
Presented By...
Maria Stevens, MD, is a family medicine physician at Baystate Franklin Medical Center with 20 years of experience in the fitness industry. In addition to her service as a physician, she serves as the Director of Fitness & Education for nine health clubs in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she develops trainer education programs and promotes medical fitness programs. Dr. Stevens serves on the Age & Dementia Friendly Council for Franklin County and, through sponsorship by Lifepath and partnership with the Franklin County YMCA, brings the “Stay Fit – Stay Connected” program to Franklin County. Dr. Stevens is passionate about bridging the gap between medicine and fitness, helping people understand not just that they should exercise, but why exercise is one of the most powerful tools for preventing and managing chronic disease. Her goal is to empower individuals with the knowledge and confidence to use movement as medicine at every stage of life.
