News Release

September 7, 2005

Contact: Jane Shaskan, 860-679-4777
e-mail: shaskan@nso.uchc.edu

Road Race to Support Free Clinic

Patients and UConn Medical Students Benefit from Care

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Take a walk – or jog or run. You can help UConn medical students hone their skills while serving the residents of Hartford’s homeless shelter by taking part in the 8th annual South Park 5K Road Race and Fitness Walk on Saturday, September 24. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 9 at the Dowling North Building on the UConn Health Center campus in Farmington.

The race is the principal fundraiser for the free medical clinic, which serves the residents of the South Park Inn shelter in Hartford. “Volunteering at the medical clinic is an amazing experience,” said third-year medical student Nicole McCormick at UConn School of Medicine. “As a student, I’m so thankful that shelter residents are willing to help me learn the art of medicine, and they are thankful to have medical care they might not otherwise receive,” she said.

Last year almost 800 people received care at the clinic, which is open Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and also a once monthly new program, Women’s Health Night. “It really is a wonderful relationship that medical students have with these, our very first patients,” said McCormick. “I will forever remember my first patient at South Park – her openness, her patience and her willingness to let us help each other.”

The clinic was founded in 1987 by UConn medical students. It’s managed by a student-run board of managers, and patient care is provided by the students and local volunteer physicians.

Proceeds from the race are used to help fund the cost of medical supplies. In addition to the medical care, dental students also run a free dental clinic at the shelter. The cost of the race is $15 if you register by September 17 or $20 on race day.

Register online at: http://medicine.uchc.edu/organizations/s_park/south_park_race/index.htm or at www.active.com. or mail to: South Park Road Race ’05, c/o Medical Student Affairs MC 1905, UConn School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington CT 06030-1905.

Race timing will be performed by Road and Track Sports of New Milford. There will be free T-shirts for the first 150 runners. UConn medical student race directors are Alise Frallicciardi and Megan Mackenzie, and they encourage everyone to come out and join the fun while supporting this worthy cause.

The University of Connecticut Health Center includes the schools of medicine and dental medicine, John Dempsey Hospital, the UConn Medical Group and University Dentists. Founded in 1961, the Health Center pursues a mission of providing outstanding health care education in an environment of exemplary patient care, research and public service. To learn more about the UConn Health Center, visit our website at www.uchc.edu.

Note: News professionals are invited to visit the Office of Communications homepage at www.uchc.edu/ocomm/ for archived news releases and other information.