The Maryland Advisory Council on Physical Fitness

UPDATE: Meetings of the Advisory Council on Physical Fitness have concluded for 2017. Effective October 1, 2017, there will be a new State Advisory Council on Health and Wellness. This Council will include a Physical Fitness Committee.​
Mission

​The mission of the Maryland State Advisory Council on Physical Fitness is to educate, advise, and encourage the citizens of Maryland to gain health benefits and enhance the quality of their lives through regular physical activity.

History

The Maryland State Advisory Council on Physical Fitness began as the State Commission on Physical Fitness in 1963 and is the oldest State Physical Fitness Council in the United States. The duties of the Council are stipulated in Health - General Article, §§ 13-401 through 13-412, Annotated Code of Maryland.  The Council is composed of a multidisciplinary, volunteer group of 25 Governor-appointed Maryland citizens. The Office of Chronic Disease Prevention provides staff support to the Council.

Roles of the Council

The Council on Physical Fitness acts in an advisory capacity to the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. The Council works collaboratively with a broad range of agencies and organizations to accomplish the following goals:
  • Collect and assemble physical activity-related information
  • Disseminate information among Maryland citizens to promote regular physical activity
  • Maintain liaisons with state and local agencies (e.g., education, planning and transportation) to improve opportunities for regular physical activity among all Maryland citizens.

Council Membership

The Advisory Council consists of 25 members appointed by the Governor. Member terms are for four years.
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Picutred above, left to right: April Quigley, Meghan Ames (DHMH), Surina Ann Jordan, James Dorf, Lillian Green-Chamberlain, Rhonda Hearns-Stewart, Arnita Hannon-Christmon, Tammy Ann Shelley, Deborah Grinnage-Pulley, Jay Seidel, Yusef Battle