INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) proudly 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, well-being, and quality of life of individuals and communities through exercise science and clinical practice.
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.
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.
“We are honored to recognize Shannon Fitzgerald as the 2026 Certified Professional of the Year,” said Lauren Korzan, MA, ACSM-EP, ACSM-GEI, chair of the ACSM Certification Board. “Shannon’s 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.”
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—it is central to who she is.
“We’re not defined by one role or one season of life,” Fitzgerald said. “Life and wellness aren’t about perfection; they are about persistence and possibility. It’s 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.”
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’s mission to integrate scientific research with practical applications in exercise and health.
View Shannon’s acceptance speech here.
###
About the American College of Sports Medicine
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) is the largest sports medicine and exercise science organization in the world, with nearly 50,000 members and certified professionals in more than 100 countries. Together, ACSM is committed to the mission of educating and empowering professionals to advance the science and practice of health and human performance. ACSM advocates for legislation to help the government and health community make physical activity a priority. Visit acsm.org to learn more.