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ACSM<\/p>\nACSM<\/p>\n
INDIANAPOLIS, IN<\/strong> – The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) announces Shannon K. Fitzgerald, MSN, BS, RN, CV-BC, CCRP, ACSM-CEP, as the 2026 ACSM Certified Professional of the Year. This distinguished award recognizes an outstanding ACSM certified professional who has made exceptional contributions to advancing the health, wellbeing and quality of life of individuals and communities through exercise science and clinical practice.<\/p>\n Shannon Fitzgerald, a clinical exercise physiologist and registered nurse serving at the Department of Veterans Affairs in Manchester, New Hampshire, has been selected for her visionary leadership and impactful innovations in expanding access to rehabilitation services. <\/p>\n Fitzgerald has been instrumental in pioneering home-based cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs at her VA facility, making it the only VA site in New England to offer both services. Her work integrates exercise science into patient-centered clinical care and bridges gaps in access, especially for populations facing barriers to traditional rehabilitation settings. <\/p>\n \u201cWe are honored to recognize Shannon Fitzgerald as the 2026 Certified Professional of the Year,\u201d said Lauren Korzan, MA, ACSM-EP, ACSM-GEI, chair of the ACSM Certification Board. \u201cShannon\u2019s dedication to our industry through her work as a clinical exercise physiologist and registered nurse has helped advocate for exercise professionals as essential members of healthcare teams. As an athlete, she is a role model for a physically active lifestyle, while supporting others during endurance events by providing medical support.\u201d <\/p>\n The ACSM Certified Professional of the Year Award honors ACSM-certified professionals who demonstrate remarkable commitment and achievement in advancing exercise as a core component of healthcare. Fitzgerald was selected based on her positive influence on the health and wellness of individuals and her community through professional excellence, leadership, and advocacy. Service to this community is not simply part of her work\u2014it is central to who she is. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not defined by one role or one season of life,\u201d Fitzgerald said. \u201cLife and wellness aren\u2019t about perfection; they are about persistence and possibility. It\u2019s a privilege to witness the resilience of my patients every day, and an even greater privilege to be a part of a profession that helps people find their way back to themselves.\u201d <\/p>\n As part of the honor, Fitzgerald will be recognized at the 2026 ACSM Health & Fitness Summit, receive a commemorative award, and serve as an ambassador for ACSM\u2019s mission to integrate scientific research with practical applications in exercise and health. <\/p>\n