MARQUETTE, Michigan – Some 700 people and about 555 races turned out Saturday for the 10th annual Hope Start Here Challenge for the Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center, which is collaboration between Northern Michigan University and UP Health System – Marquette. The Hope Starts Here Challenge is an annual UMBTC fundraiser. Participants accounted for donations exceeding $30,000 at this year’s event. Participants competed in a duathlon, half marathon, 5k and 10k races, as well as various walking and biking leisure events. Proceeds from the event are donated to the work being done at the Brain Tumor Center.
On Friday night, a signing ceremony of held, formalizing a long-term commitment affiliation between NMU and UP Health System to operate the UMBTC. The Brain Tumor Center was the “brainchild” of NMU’s Robert Winn, Ph.D., and UPHS (then Marquette General Hospital) neurosurgeon Richard Rovin, M.D. Dr. Rovin left the Upper Peninsula earlier this year. Replacing Dr. Rovin at UP Health System – Marquette and the Brain Tumor Center is Sonia G. Geschwindt, M.D., a neurosurgeon who is joining UPHS from Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia. Dr. Geschwindt was introduced to the community at Saturday’s race awards ceremony.
While the collaboration between NMU and UPHS has been strong over the past decade, a formal agreement outlining the joint operation of the Brain Tumor Center was signed at the Friday ceremony by Winn and UPHS – Marquette CEO Ed Banos. The agreement is aimed at solidifying the long-term future of the Brain Tumor Center and the collaboration between the university and hospital. The Upper Michigan Brain Tumor Center Mission:
To provide our patients access to the latest clinical treatments To use basic research to guide and improve clinical care To improve quality of life for patients and caregivers To raise awareness in the community The overall message to the community is, “Hope Starts Here” Dr. Winn said, “The program allows students to participate in hands-on research and to acquire knowledge and experience that will give them a competitive advantage as they pursue their careers.” Several UMBTC students have gone on pursue healthcare/medical careers, including: Medical School Dental School Biomedical /Biological Employment Ph.D. programs
For more information on the open house, contact the NMU biology department at 906-227-2310. Visit hopestartshere.org for Hope Starts Here Challenge information.
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