Noel D. Nequin, M.D. FEU-IM ‘Class 62 on April 18, 2004 completed a 5-year term as president of the American Medical Athletic Association (AMAA), the professional division of 16,000-member American Running Association (ARA). Founded in 1969 as the American Medical Joggers Association, AMAA is an organization of physicians and other medical professionals who promote jogging, running and other forms of exercise activities, utilizing the approach to promote health and fitness among their patients and families. AMAA have held medical meetings in conjunction with marathons in Boston, Houston, London, Toronto and Honolulu. On May 13, 2004, he was honored with Professional Excellence Award from Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White and during the Asian Pacific Heritage Month.

Last November 11, 2004, he was elected Medical Fitness Association chairman of the board and president. Medical Fitness Association (MFA) is the industry leader among medical fitness centers. MFCs are hospital or medically-affiliated health and fitness centers that bridge the gap to continuing outpatient programs. MFCs usually have cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation programs, rehabilitation services, pain management services, and programs meeting the needs of patient with diabetes, cancer, chronic renal disease, arthritis, etc. MFA currently has over 400 active members. There are currently over 700 medical fitness centers in the United States today, with an estimated 1000 such centers by the year 2010.

On March 2005, he received IDPH appointment to the new 11-member Atherosclerosis Advisory Committee of the Illinois Department of Public Health for a 4-year term. Enacted by the State of Illinois General Assemby as HB2735, the Atherosclerosis Prevention Act establishes a program for the Prevention of atherosclerosis and the reduction of disability and death from the disease. The program shall encourage and assist in the development of research, education, and preventive services and activities under public and voluntary auspices directed toward the prevention and elimination of atherosclerosis. The inaugural meeting of this Committee is April 27, 2005.

On April 3, 2005, he was bestowed honorary degree Doctor of Humanities (HHD) honoris causa during the 2005 commencement exercises of Central Philippine University (CPU), Iloilo City, Philippines, on April 3, 2005. Noel says “I was born into and grew up at CPU where my parents, both educators there for over 45 years each were pioneers in this 100-year old institution. CPU started in 1905 as Jaro Industrial School, a trade school for boys, became Central Philippine College in the 1920s, and Central Philippine University in 1953. My father, (Mr. Urbano Nequin) was the first shop superintendent of Jaro Industrial School while my mother, (Mrs. Teofila Nequin) was the first woman graduate when Central Philippine College became co-educational in the 1920s with the missionaries of the American Baptist Mission Society. In the 2000s, CPU is rated among the best schools in the Philippines, and currently has over 13,000 enrolled students. CPU is observing a 13-month-long celebration of its Centennial Year, with the largest crowd expected on July 31 to August 7, 2005 during the Grand Reunions on the campus”. Congratulations, Noel!