Anastassios Philippou, PhD, FACSM, Professor of Physiology-Exercise Physiology in the School of Medicine at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, is the global recipient of the Exercise is Medicine Global Leader award from American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
Each year, individuals whose leadership has advanced the integration of physical activity into healthcare and communities around the world are recognized for their contribution through the Exercise is Medicine (EIM) Global Leadership award. The award honors leaders who have helped expand the Exercise is Medicine® global movement to make physical activity promotion a standard part of health care. The award recipients have demonstrated exceptional commitment to improving health through education, interdisciplinary collaboration, research, and implementation across diverse settings and populations.
Anastassios Philippou is the global recipient of the Exercise is Medicine Global Leader award 2026. A founding member of the National Center “Exercise is Medicine (EIM)-Greece”, since its inception in 2016, Anastassios Philippou has served as the Director of the EIM-Greece National Center since 2022. Under his leadership, the Greek National Center has made significant progress in advancing physical activity within healthcare system and clinical practice. Through partnerships with medical scientific societies to implement “Exercise is Medicine®” educational programs for physicians of various specialties, it further promoted their education and training in prescribing physical exercise.
At the international level, Anastassios Philippou has been a consistent presence in the growth of Exercise is Medicine® throughout Europe. The National Center EIM-Greece has hosted two international EIM Congresses, including the 2025 Congress, which also served as the site of the 2025 EIM European Regional Meeting. Through these efforts, Anastassios Philippou has helped strengthen collaboration among National Centers and support global initiative Exercise is Medicine® across Greece and Europe.
Overall, through his leadership in education, supporting policies development to integrate exercise into clinical practice, and international partnerships, Anastassios Philippou has helped advance the global vision of making physical activity an integral part of healthcare systems and communities worldwide.
