A special group of Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) employees who competed in the 26.2-mile TCS New York City Marathon on November 4 raised nearly $50,000 for WMCHealth facilities across the Hudson Valley.
The team's 10 members – five nurses, a nurse manager, occupational therapist, psychiatry resident, nurse practitioner and the network's executive vice president and chief administrative officer – helped raise funds for the life-changing and lifesaving care provided at each of WMCHealth's 10 Hudson Valley hospitals. Donations collected for each runner's efforts will support essential programs and services in the local and regional hospitals the runners represent. Contributions can still be made through the end of the year by visiting
wmchealth.org/marathon.
Here's a look at WMCHealth runners and their finishing times:
Bill Leverenz, RN
HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley
Bill Leverenz is a registered nurse and a patient experience coordinator, at HealthAlliance Hospital in Kingston. This was his first New York City Marathon. Bill finished his race in 5:34:03.
Munyaradzi (Munya) Rwakonda, RN
Good Samaritan Hospital
Munyaradzi Rwakonda is a registered nurse in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Good Samaritan Hospital. Munya, who grew up in Nigeria, has completed two marathons. This was her first New York City Marathon. Munya finished the race in 5:08:02.
Chris Howard, BSN, RN
MidHudson Regional Hospital
Chris Howard of Cortlandt Manor is Director of Emergency Services (Nursing) at MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie. This was his first marathon. He finished the race in 5:52.45.
Christopher McGovern, NP
Westchester Medical Center
Chris McGovern of Nelsonville, is a nurse practitioner in the Department of Neurosurgery at Westchester Medical Center. He has run 30 road marathons and trail ultramarathons and other New York City Marathons. He finished the race in 3:21:59.
Sandra Kaufmann, RN
Westchester Medical Center
Sandi Kaufmann, is a staff nurse working with cancer patients in the Department of Gynecologic Oncology at Westchester Medical Center. A seasoned runner, marathoner and tri-athlete (she ran in last year's New York City Marathon) Sandi finished the race in 5:07:29.
Kara Bennorth
Westchester Medical Center Health Network
Kara Bennorth Hubertus of Carmel is Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of WMCHealth. Kara, an avid runner, trained for 12 weeks in preparation for the New York City Marathon, which was her first. She finished the race in 5:28:59.
Julianne Darcey, RN
Maria Fareri Children's Hospital
Julianne Darcey, RN, Of Hillsdale NJ, works as a registered nurse at Maria Fareri Children's Hospital. This was her first marathon. She finished the race in 6:00:28.
Sarah Vaithilingam, MD
Behavioral Health Center
Sarah Vaithilingam of Yonkers is a resident physician at WMCHealth's Behavioral Health Center. Originally from Canada, Sarah has run 5K and 10K races and half-marathons and plays soccer, but this was her first marathon. She finished the race in 5:44:10.
Roz Schultz, RN
Westchester Medical Center
Roz Schultz of Tarrytown is a registered nurse and case manager at Westchester Medical Center. Roz recently participated in the 2018 New York Half Marathon and the Shape Women's Half Marathon. This was her first marathon. Roz finished the race in 5:18:41.
Claire Becker, MS
Westchester Medical Center
Claire Becker of Brooklyn is an occupational therapist at Westchester Medical Center. Due to injuries, Claire did not compete this year, but raised funds for the team.