Sunday Pre-Conference Workshop: Design and Implement a Lifestyle Medicine Service Line in Academic Medicine

Chronic diseases are leading causes of death in the U.S., with nearly 60% of adults living with at least one chronic condition. Academic medical centers (AMCs) are crucial in addressing these challenges, through a unique combination of patient care, education, and research. The American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) has made significant strides in promoting evidence-based lifestyle medicine, but the integration of lifestyle medicine into large academic centers remains complex. This workshop will focus on two practical models for integrating lifestyle medicine into AMCs: the inpatient consultative service model and the outpatient shared medical appointment (SMA) program. Attendees will learn how to develop and scale these models within their institutions, leveraging collaborative teams of physicians and health professionals. The goal is to provide participants with actionable tools to advocate for lifestyle medicine services, and secure leadership support. This workshop is designed for physicians and health professionals in both inpatient and outpatient settings interested in integrating lifestyle medicine into their institutions. It will be particularly useful for those involved in chronic disease management, as well as medical educators seeking to enhance their curriculum with lifestyle medicine principles. Lifestyle medicine can significantly improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance educational experiences for medical students and residents. Incorporating lifestyle medicine into AMCs will help these institutions offer more comprehensive, preventive care while advancing research and training in this important field. This workshop aligns with ACLM's mission to embed lifestyle medicine as a foundational approach to healthcare in academic settings, where it can have the greatest impact. This workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore the integration of lifestyle medicine into academic medical centers. By combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on learning, participants will leave with practical tools they can apply directly to their own institutions. Addressing key issues such as stakeholder engagement, patient recruitment, and business planning, this session will empower participants to advocate for and implement lifestyle medicine programs that improve patient health and enhance their institution's capacity for chronic disease prevention and management.

Learning Objectives

  1. Identify two models for integrating lifestyle medicine into academic medical centers: inpatient consultative services and outpatient shared medical appointment programs.
  2. Design a proposal to launch a lifestyle medicine service line in an academic medical center, including identifying key stakeholders, addressing potential challenges, and securing leadership support.
  3. Develop an effective pitch that clearly articulates the value of lifestyle medicine programs to hospital administrators and other decision-makers.
Course summary
Course opens: 
11/16/2025
Course expires: 
01/16/2026
Cost:
$0.00
  • Alison MacKinlay, MD
  • Kim Tartaglia, MD

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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