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In This Issue:
Athleticism can be a bonding experience, providing a competitive edge, a truism that exists for many of the competitors in this year’s upcoming Boston Marathon. Among those competitors will be Team Brigham—a 122-member team running to help support BWH’s Community Health Initiatives program. This year, 15 BWH employees are part of Team Brigham.
Team Brigham member and BWH Chief of Obstetrics David Acker, MD, will be running this year alongside his brother Lawrence. The April 19 Boston Marathon will be the Acker brothers’ first race together, but each has been involved in several marathons spanning the East Coast. With both brothers being accomplished marathoners—Dr. Acker runs four to five days a week regularly—friendly competition will serve as motivation. “Sibling rivalry has given me motivation to go out on cold weekends to run,” said Acker.
Another established runner who will be part of this year’s Team Brigham is Dee Dee Mariano of BWH Patient and Family Relations. “Even though this is a big team, you always feel the warmth and spirit,” said Mariano.
The team fundraising goal is set at $350,000, and each participant is responsible for raising $2,500. Donations made to the team will help support BWH’s Community Health Initiatives Programs.
Some of the programs serve women and families, something near and dear to Dr. Acker, as chief of Obstetrics. “It is important to me to be able to solicit my friends and family for something that supports the care of women. It is a great feeling of pride to be the chief of Obstetrics at a hospital that not only serves women, but serves under-cared for women.”
Other BWH staff, who have been training with Acker and Mariano as part of Team Brigham, include Nancy Barker; Daniela Carusi, MD; Christina DeFusco, RN; Nancy Downer; Maureen Kelly; Kate Kielty, RN; Chuck Labins; Kelly Laws, RN; Cindy LeMay, RN; Alex Norbash, MD; Maria Ralston; Lisa Samson, PA; Julie Tangney, RN; and Elizabeth Taylor, RN.