Students Aid NYC Marathon Runners in Unique Clinical Setting

Students gained hands-on experience, witnessing the types of injuries athletes encountered in a fast-paced and high-energy non-traditional clinical setting. They practiced critical skills, like patient triage, quick decision-making, and compassionate care under pressure, all while supporting runners through one of the most challenging achievements of their lives. For these NYMC students, it was a chance to grow as future physicians and physical therapists, strengthening qualities of resilience, empathy, and adaptability.
 
“I saw a few cases of heat exhaustion and even a couple of runners who experienced dizziness and mild disorientation, which we don’t typically see in a clinic,” recalled Kennedy Tran, D.P.T. Class of 2025, who said the marathon helped improve his triaging skills. “The unpredictable nature of outdoor, high-endurance events brought unique challenges to patient care.”
 
For up to 12 hours, the medical volunteers were stationed at the medical tents throughout the marathon’s route aiding runners who experienced common injuries, like dehydration, muscle cramps, and exhaustion. The students, who were required to be CPR-trained, attended an orientation two weeks before the marathon to prepare for their roles. On race day, they assisted in taking medical histories, tracking runners, and supporting the medical teams, which included attending physicians, resident physicians, physical therapists, nurses, and other health care professionals. Students in physical therapy also provided massages and guided stretching to help runners recover.
 
“I really appreciated being able to learn the basic treatment and care for the ‘bread and butter’ injuries that most athletes experience,” said Alex Park, SOM Class of 2026, whose father, Chong H. Park, M.D. '96, graduated from NYMC. “The unique environment and acute care that we provided felt very similar to an emergency department, where efficient triage and history taking were key to providing care to our patients.”
 
Jeff Duro, D.P.T. Class of 2025, who was a student medical volunteer at the finish line tent, said he was well-equipped from his learnings at NYMC to help the patients he encountered. He treated runners with patellar tendinopathy, a painful condition where the patellar tendon has small tears from being overworked, and iliotibial band friction syndrome, which is pain in the knee due to repetitive motion. The newest condition he faced was a runner who couldn’t feel his legs and had shortness of breath. He was able to work with his team to diagnose the problem and provide the runner with sensation and relief.
 
“I worked with high-level athletes in their unexpected time of need for what should be the best day of their lives,” said Duro. “I was one of the first people these athletes saw after crossing the finish line, seeing them before their families and friends. “I was able to share that moment with them. It put into perspective for me that this moment could taint their view of what they just accomplished, but I had the opportunity to treat their injury and remind them that they just completed one of the greatest feats of their lives.”
 
Dozens of NYMC students signed up with Touro University’s Team Touro medical volunteer group, with others signing up independently. The volunteer experience equipped the students to provide effective care, contributing seamlessly to the team and gaining insight into collaborative health care in a high-stakes environment
 
“Observing how each role approached the same cases with their specific skill sets gave me a new appreciation for the strengths each discipline brings to patient care,” said Steven Shifren, D.P.T. Class of 2025. “The collaborative environment showed me how diverse expertise converges to create effective treatment in dynamic situations.”
 
Students studying in various health care disciplines developed a greater respect for and admiration of each other's expertise and dedication.
 
“I also was very impressed and appreciative of the physical therapists who volunteered at the event. From a strictly ‘medicine’ standpoint, the treatment for cramping felt quite limited when compared to the specific massages and stretches the expert physical therapy volunteers were able to provide,” said Park. “I also think it's important for everyone to have some physical therapy knowledge to help prevent and recover from injuries.”
 
For many NYMC students, this experience sparked a newfound interest in sports medicine. Others found the marathon reaffirmed their dedication to the field, already eager to volunteer again next year and be part of a life-changing day for runners.