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Tobias Barker, MD, of the Department of Emergency Medicine, is running the show at the 2007 Boston Marathon. He was named medical director for the marathon last month when the previous director stepped down after 25 years.
“Toby has shown outstanding leadership, organizational and interpersonal skills, and we know he will direct his talents to helping make the Boston Marathon even more successful,” said Ron Walls, MD, chairman of Emergency Medicine, who, along with Rich Zane, vice chairman of Emergency Medicine, nominated Barker for the position.
Last year, more than 22,000 men and women ran the Boston Marathon and approximately 1,000 runners required medical attention at some point during the 26.2-mile course. Barker will oversee a core team representing physicians, podiatrists, nurses, therapists, medical supply officers and medical records assistants in order to plan for medical care for competitors, volunteers and staff.
On Marathon Day, there will be approximately 1,300 medical professionals, including physicians, nurses, physician assistants, therapists, podiatrists and EMTs, spread throughout the 26.2-mile course prepared to treat anything from a sprained ankle to hyperthermia. Barker also will work with hospitals throughout Massachusetts to prepare them for the influx of patients on race day.
“I want to make sure runners receive the same caliber of care no matter where they are in the course,” Barker said. “Whether they are on mile one or 20, they will receive the highest quality medical care.”
Barker plans to apply what he learns from the marathon to his research. “Analyzing what works or doesn’t when thousands of runners require medical attention can be extremely valuable research for a larger mass gathering or disaster relief plan involving health protocols,” Barker said.
In addition to his new role as medical director of the Boston Marathon, Barker is the official medical director of Gillette Stadium and associate medical director for the STRATUS Center for Medical Simulation at BWH. His experience caring for the 70,000 plus people at Gillette Stadium events will be invaluable as he prepares the team of medical professionals for the 2007 Boston Marathon.