Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon runners to receive top medical care

MESA, Ariz. (Jan. 15, 2009) – Runners in the 2009 P.F. Chang’s Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona Marathon on Sunday can expect top-notch, and in at least one case, Olympic-level medical care throughout the race route thanks to hundreds of medical volunteers, many of whom are from A.T. Still University (ATSU). Of the anticipated 600 volunteers, approximately 150 are affiliated with the University.
Randy Danielsen, Ph.D., PA-C, DFAAPA, dean of ATSU’s Arizona School of Health Sciences (ASHS), is a local medical director for the race along with Phoenix family physician Kam Hunter, M.D. Ian McLeod, PA, a recent ATSU-ASHS graduate, will serve as a medical tent captain at the beginning of the race. McLeod traveled to the Beijing Olympics last fall as a member of the USA Swimming medical team.

Elite Racing, the organizers of nine different rock ‘n’ roll marathons throughout the country, enlisted Dr. Danielsen’s help for a fifth straight year to recruit a medical team large enough to take care of approximately 35,000 race participants. As a medical director, Dr. Danielsen is also charged with oversight of all the physician assistants on the volunteer team, 18 of whom will be individual medical station captains.

“We are very proud to have such a high ATSU medical volunteer turnout,” said Dr. Danielsen. “Our students, alumni, faculty and staff are equipped to provide the best quality medical care. Having an opportunity to contribute to this important effort to raise money for leukemia and lymphoma is very important to us.”

Eric Sauers, Ph.D., ATC, director of the athletic training program and chair of the department of interdisciplinary health sciences at ATSU-ASHS, is serving as assistant medical director for the race, and is in charge of the finish line triage. “It is a truly great example of interdisciplinary teamwork as healthcare providers from every discipline participate to ensure the health and safety of these participants,” he said. “Having the opportunity to work a sporting event of this magnitude side-by-side with my students, alumni, and faculty is a highlight of my year. Getting out of the classroom and helping people together just shows what we are all about.”

ATSU also hosted this year’s medical team orientation January 11-14 on its Arizona Campus. All 600 volunteers, including medical directors and captains, visited the Campus on one of the four days to prepare for their responsibilities during the race. It is the first time ATSU has hosted the orientation.

There are approximately 40 medical stations along the marathon route, each staffed with 10-15 people, with captains who are either PAs, D.O.s, or M.D.s. This multidisciplinary medical team provides rapid assessment of medical needs and administers acute first aid and immediate services to runners. According to Dr. Danielsen, should a runner need more comprehensive medical care, Southwest Ambulance will be able to reach any medical station within two to three minutes.