PAGNY Participates in NYC Marathon

PAGNY medical professionals, primarily from Lincoln’s Emergency Medicine Department, volunteered their time and expertise to help runners of the NYC Marathon on Nov. 1. In addition, two members of the PAGNY family—PAGNY CEO Dr. Luis R. Marcos and Anna Marie McCarthy, a medical student at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln—successfully ran in the marathon.

The Lincoln volunteer medical team set up their tent at the marathon’s Mile 20 at 3rd Avenue and 138th Street. The crew of 20 were stationed there from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The team was led by PAGNY Dr. Lee Donner, who served as the medical captain. He was supported by three additional PAGNY physicians: Dr. Rui Domingues, Dr. Christina Ho and Dr. Annie Raja. The team also included Dr. Mark Robson, oncologist from Memorial Hospital, seven PAGNY emergency medicine residents, five PAGNY medical students and a physical therapist from Mt. Sinai. Sarah Donner from Lincoln handled the registration. Other Lincoln volunteers were stationed at other tents along the course. Dr. Ryan Morrisey, a former Lincoln EM resident, ran in the marathon and gave a big wave to the team as he ran by.

“It was an exciting and rewarding experience for us all to take our team out onto the course at Mile 20 of the marathon,” Dr. Donner said. “We took care of athletes from all ends of the spectrum – from first-time marathon runners through full-fledged Olympian athletes. We treated many runners–mostly for minor injuries such as muscle cramps, strains, blisters, and occasional exhaustion.”

The team sent only one runner to the hospital for further care and that patient was treated and released from Lincoln’s emergency department.

“I had a chance to speak with the ED team who cared for him; they reported that he was very happy and grateful for the initial care he got at the tent through his visit to our ED,” Dr. Donner said. “The marathon is a huge undertaking for the city, involving people from all walks of life and areas of expertise. Having an opportunity to put our medical skills to use right in our own neighborhood in the South Bronx was a great experience and I know we all had fun doing it.”

Anna Marie McCarthy, a medical student in her final year at St. George’s University in Grenada who is currently performing her clinical rotations at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln, ran the marathon in 4 hours and 47 minutes. Her medical focus is on internal medicine and her aim is to help victims of human trafficking.

She ran the marathon because it instills discipline, helps her maintain a healthy lifestyle and reduces stress. “It was always one of my goals to run the NYC marathon,” Ms. McCarthy said. “It’s an iconic and very different way to see the city and all its boroughs. The energy was great and I’m elated and excited that I was able to achieve my goal to cross the finish line.”

Dr. Marcos, running an average of 10:23 minutes per mile, completed the race in 4 hours and 31 minutes. He began running when he was 45 years old and discovered that physical exercise was the best way for him to relax both mentally and physically. In 1993, a colleague from the New York City Department of Mental Health challenged him to run the marathon, and he could not resist the challenge. He has run in every NYC marathon since—a total of 22.

After the 2012 marathon was cancelled due to Hurricane Sandy, Dr. Marcos convinced his daughter Carolena to run with him. They have run the past four marathons together with a group of friends.

“I consider myself to be a slow winner,” Dr. Marcos said. “When running the marathon I follow Martin Luther King’s advice ‘If you can’t fly, then run. If you can’t run, then walk. If you can’t walk, then crawl. But whatever you do, keep moving.’ I would like to see all PAGNY members who are interested in running a marathon come together for 2016”.