News Release

September 12, 2006

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

Road Race to Support Free Clinics

Shelter Residents and UConn Medical Students Benefit from Medical Care

FARMINGTON, CONN. – Free medical clinics founded and managed by University of Connecticut School of Medicine students will benefit from the 9th Annual South Park 5K Road Race and Fitness Walk Saturday, Sept. 30. Registration starts at 7 a.m. and the race begins at 9 at the Dowling North Building on the UConn Health Center campus, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington.

The race is the principal fundraiser for the South Park Inn Clinic, the South Park Inn Women’s Clinic, the South Marshall Pediatric Clinic, and dental clinic in Hartford, and the recently opened Willimantic Clinic. “As a medical student, I’m so thankful that shelter residents are willing to help me learn the art of medicine, and they are thankful to receive medical care,” said fourth-year medical student and South Park Inn Clinic director, Nicole McCormick. “Last year almost 800 people were served at the South Park Inn Clinic alone,” she said.

Founded in 1987 by UConn medical students, the clinics offer patient care through a collaborative effort between medical and dental students and local volunteer physicians, who take time to serve the community and teach the students.

The event will help bring Hartford and Willimantic homeless shelter residents the needed medical and dental care that they are unlikely to receive otherwise. Proceeds from the race are used to pay for supplies and other expenses such as bandages, ointments, lighting, and specialized medical office equipment.

Race timing will be performed by Road and Track Sports of New Milford. Free T-shirts will be given to the first 150 runners. There will also be entertainment provided by “Seizure,” a band made up of Health Center staff. Race directors are second-year medical students Amy Garaffa and Stephanie Morin.

Registration is $15 before September 23; $20 on race day. Register at: http://fitsweb.uchc.edu/student/southpark/south_park_race/index.htm or at www.active.com, or mail to: South Park Road Race ’06, c/o Stephanie Morin, 277 Main Street Apt. D4, Farmington, CT 06032.

“Come join us!” said Alexandra Lukianoff, third year medical student and public relations representative for the South Park Clinic. “The residents of the Hartford and Willimantic shelters, and the UConn medical and dental students, will be so grateful.”

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.

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