Area Doctor to Run in Annual 5K After Relearning to Walk

Registration is now open for the Third Annual ASA Run For The Warriors^®. The 5K race will be held on Sunday, October 14, 2012 at Anacostia Park, one of Washington, D.C.'s largest recreation areas with more than 1200 acres stretching along the Anacostia River from the Frederick Douglas Memorial Bridge to the D.C./Maryland border. Registration for the 5K is $30 USD per individual. There is also special pricing for veterans, military, families and students. Register today or learn more by visiting: hopeforthewarriors.org/asarun.

The ASA Run For The Warriors^® is annually held together with the American Society of Anesthesiologists’ (ASA) annual meeting. Past conventions and races have taken place in San Diego and Chicago.

In keeping with tradition, the ASA Run For The Warriors^® will begin with an opening ceremony at 7 a.m., honoring local wounded heroes and families of the fallen. It celebrates the bravery of those who have given of themselves in the line of duty. Additionally, it gives the service members who participate a chance to receive a small piece of gratitude that is unequivocally shared by a nation indebted to their service.

“I am honored to lead an organization who supports military heroes who have fought or have been wounded defending the freedom of our country and its people,” said Jerry A. Cohen, M.D., ASA President. “There is no better venue than our nation’s capital to once again unite our physicians, military and local area residents with hope and strength to Run For The Warriors^®.”

One of this year’s distinguished participants is both a member of the ASA and a wounded service member. Eric Holt, D.O., M.B.A., Lt. Col., U.S. Air Force, Purple Heart and Combat Action Medal recipient, is an anesthesiologist who has deployed multiple times with Special Operations forces. In January 2009, while deployed with Air Force’s Special Operations Command (AFSOC), his armored humvee triggered an IED, ripping the vehicle apart and throwing Holt nearly 30 meters into a compound wall. 

Eric spent more than a year in multiple military medical centers. During that time, Holt had his neck fused, skull and face repaired, and reprogrammed the skills required to speak, swallow, see correctly, walk and other normal daily activities. He also had to relearn his job as an anesthesiologist. 

“These injuries offered invaluable insight into the military medical system by allowing a ‘grunt’ anesthesiologist to experience, both as a doctor and patient, the spectrum of care from point of combat injury, evacuation, and surgery, to short and long-term rehabilitation,” said Dr. Holt.  “This outstanding medical care is commonplace.  It happens virtually everyday around the world in military treatment facilities for our Wounded Warriors and is the reason we are able to once again support our military family during this year’s run.”

In July 2012, Dr. Holt began a Pain Fellowship at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Bethesda, Md. For over a year, their Chronic Pain staff and Eric have been modifying a rapid pain management protocol to successfully treat several of our special operations members.  He further believes that by continuing to push the science to give our first responders the tools, techniques, and training to better secure a casualty’s airway and  ‘turn off’ pain immediately to the ‘right of the blast’, there will be fewer cases of PTSD, TBI sequelae and chronic pain for our service members. 

All proceeds will benefit Hope For The Warriors®, a national nonprofit organization that assists combat wounded service members, their families, and families of the fallen. Hope For The Warriors^® thanks Presenting Sponsor; ASA, for making this event possible. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for future events. Contact John Lisa (646.574.1977) to learn more.

HOPE FOR THE WARRIORS^®
The mission of Hope For the Warriors^® is to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty. Hope For The Warriors® is dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope for our service members and our military families.

Hope For The Warriors^® has earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator, an independent organization that evaluates fiscal responsibility and accountability of nonprofits.

Hope For The Warriors^® (Federal Tax ID 20-5182295) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charity as defined in sections 509(A)(1) and 170(B)(1)(A)(VI) of the Internal Revenue Code. Combined Federal Campaign, CFC #27800.