By Fatima Salinas 

Jessica Gorzelitz, an assistant professor in the Department of Health, Sport, and Human Physiology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is helping lead a new clinic and research initiative that aims to support cancer recovery through exercise accessible across Iowa.

Funded through the University of Iowa’s Public-Private Partnership (P3), the three-year $642,896 project will establish the state’s first Exercise Oncology Clinic, Gorzelitz said. The project was selected from the pool of 11 projects that were submitted through a campus-wide call for P3 proposals in fall 2024.

The clinic is designed to improve health and fitness outcomes for cancer patients and survivors by offering personalized, tailored exercise programs consistent with guidelines from organizations such as the American Society for Clinical Oncology, the American Cancer Society and the American College of Sports Medicine. While exercise is increasingly recognized as an essential part of cancer care, access to these services remains limited, especially in rural and underserved communities.

“Our goal is to reduce the barriers that many cancer survivors face when it comes to exercise,” Gorzelitz said. “It’s a powerful supportive therapy, but it’s not easy to access or navigate without the right guidance, especially after treatment.”

Gorzelitz’s research expands on how exercise can improve recovery and quality of life for cancer survivors. As a member of the nationally recognized Moving Through Cancer Taskforce, which was honored by the White House in January of 2025, she helps promote physical activity and exercise as key parts of cancer care. 

Her lab focuses on underrepresented groups, such as endometrial, ovarian and rural cancer survivors. She focuses on using strength training exercise and deploying remote and home-based programs to reduce instrumental barriers to participation. Gorzelitz’s work highlights the lasting impact of guided exercise programs on survivors’ strength, mobility, and well-being.

“Like many Americans, my family has a history of cancer, and I’ve seen how devastating it can be,” Gorzelitz said. “To help reduce the burden of this terrible disease with something as simple as exercise is a huge passion of mine.” 

The clinic will be housed in the new Health Sciences Academic Building, located near the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center and across the street from parking ramp four. Gorzelitz said this proximity will make it easy for patients already receiving treatment to access the exercise clinic with minimal disruption.

In addition to in-person services, the project will include remote training and equipment delivery for patients across the state model that builds on Gorzelitz’s previous work supporting Iowans with home-based programs.

The project also brings together a broad team of collaborators across campus, including Heather Reisinger, professor in the Carver College of Medicine and director at the Implementation Science Center. 

"This is such an exciting opportunity for collaboration and for ensuring we are making a positive impact for all Iowans," said Reisinger. 

Together, they are focused on translating research into practice which is supported by collaborations with the Implementation Science Center, College of Public Health, and the Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center. Gorzelitz and Reisinger are focused on implementing research into accessible, real-world services. 

"In the Implementation Science Center, we work to move evidence-based practice to patients and communities as quickly as possible," Reisinger said. "We are looking forward to working with Dr. Gorzelitz to bring evidence-based exercise programs to patients from cancer diagnosis through survivorship.”

Student involvement will be key in the clinic’s model, Gorzelitz said. Under the supervision of trained staff, students will play a direct role in delivering services to cancer survivors. Undergraduate students will have an opportunity to work directly with patients in the clinic through a supervised internship opportunity.

Engaging students in practical learning opportunities is very important to Gorzelitz, and early exposure to cancer will hopefully impact the educational trajectories of these students.

 “This isn’t just a clinic—it’s a learning environment,” Gorzelitz said. “Students will work one-on-one with patients and gain meaningful clinical experience that prepares them for medical school, graduate programs, and careers in healthcare.”

In fall 2026 Gorzelitz will also be teaching a new 4000-level didactic course in exercise oncology which will prepare students for the Cancer Exercise Trainer certification from the American Cancer Society/American College of Sports Medicine.

While the internship opportunity is aimed at students in the department, the class will be open to students from other areas of study who meet the prerequisites, including undergraduate, graduate, and medical students who want to gain a comprehensive understanding of how exercise can influence cancer development, treatment, and survivorship.

“We’re preparing students to be the next generation of cancer exercise specialists,” Gorzelitz said. “Whether they go into medicine, research, or clinical care, this gives them the knowledge and the experience to make an impact.”