Student-driven Triathlon Benefits Hoya Clinic

Posted in GUMC Stories

APRIL 11, 2014 — Thirty-two competitors swam, biked and ran for a cause during the 14th annual IronMed Charity Triathlon, which raised more than $10,000 to benefit the Hoya Clinic . The triathalon and a 5K run were held on Georgetown’s campus April 6.

The Hoya Clinic is a Georgetown student-driven clinic that provides free primary health care to Washington’s homeless and uninsured population. Because it is run by  Georgetown medical students, they feel very connected to this fundraising event that supports it, says Jessica Howard (M’16), co-coordinator of IronMed.

“The Hoya Clinic forms such an iconic part of each medical student’s experience here at Georgetown, and is truly a reflection of cura personalis, or care for the whole person,” says Howard. “Keeping the clinic open is not only important for the people it serves, but also to help train the Georgetown medical students to become the best clinicians they can be.”

Race day events included the individual sprint triathlon, the team triathlon and the IronMed 5K run. Triathlon competitors completed a 750-meter swim, a 12-mile bike ride and a 5k run. The teams consisted of three athletes each, and each athlete completed one leg of the race.

A Cause to Believe In

This is the second year that Howard and her fellow co-coordinators Sean Mofidi (M’16) and Susan Walters (M’16) have been involved with IronMed; last year they served on the planning committee and helped solicit donations for prizes and gift certificates for the top racers in each category.

“We all came to love the Hoya Clinic early on during our first year in medical school,” says Mofidi. “It’s a special place and knowing that IronMed was created to benefit the Hoya Clinic was a key factor in our decision to become involved with it.”

Also, the event promotes health and wellness, and that’s what the Hoya Clinic is all about, she adds.

The Hoya Clinic

The funds raised are used to purchase items and implement programs that benefit the care provided to the Hoya Clinic’s patients. A portion of the funds goes toward the Hoya Clinic Longevity Fund. This fund ensures that Georgetown medical students, nurses and physicians can continue to provide necessary care to an underserved patient population in D.C.

Volunteer physicians, nurses and medical students from Georgetown’s School of Medicine and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital staff the nonprofit clinic, located in southeast D.C.

By Sarah Reik
GUMC Communications