WesternU proudly sponsors Pomona 5K and 10K, hosts health and resource fair
Western University of Health Sciences proudly served as a co-presenting sponsor of the 8th annual Pomona 5K & 10K, held on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. The event drew more than 900 enthusiastic runners and walkers to the heart of downtown Pomona. Participants of all ages and abilities came together, signifying the spirit of unity and health that defines this annual celebration of fitness and well-being.
The race featured local high school cheerleading squads and volunteers, and the racecourse included a segment along the WesternU Esplanade. WesternU students, faculty, and staff participated as volunteers, runners, and walkers in the races.
WesternU students, faculty and staff showed so much interest in participating in the 2024 race, the University bought more registrations to give away thanks to the generosity of the Office of the President, the Office of Community and Governmental Affairs, the Office of Public Affairs and Marketing, WesternU Student Government Association, and Young Invincibles.
“The Pomona 5K and 10K bring people together to celebrate health, wellness, and community, which are core values of Western University of Health Sciences,” said Martha Rivera, assistant vice president for Community Benefit and Governmental Affairs at WesternU. “We are honored to be a co-presenting sponsor and to have had over 150 WesternU participants in the Pomona 5K and 10K and over 70 students participating in providing free screenings and resources at the WesternU Health Fair.”
With such strong interest from WesternU students and employees to participate in the race, WesternU created Team WesternU performance T-shirts, allowing the University to field a team of more than triple in size compared to years past. The graphic for the shirt was created by Senior Graphic Designer Debra Nelson. Team WesternU, led by Multimedia Manager Jeff Malet, led the giveaway, and provided race updates to the team leading up to the event.
Fourth-year College of Veterinary Medicine student Mina Weakley uses running as an outlet for stress management. By prioritizing mental health, she jumped at the chance to get a free registration.
“Running has been my main outlet for balancing all the stresses of school,” she said. “I think it’s nice that we have Team WesternU, especially because it goes through the WesternU campus, and it looks like we have a big group of us that are involved in staying healthy and running together.”
WesternU also hosted a health and resource fair with more than a dozen pop-up tents filling up an area west of the start/finish line.
Helen Musharbash, director of Educational Partnership and Outreach Strategic Alliances, was at a booth promoting Pomona Health Career Ladder and the Wellness Fair being held on campus Saturday, Oct. 26, and Associate Provost for Clinical Affairs and WesternU Health Executive Director Rob Warren, DO ’01, was at a booth providing information about WesternU Health.
“WesternU values its relationship with Pomona and we’re thankful to be here to serve this community,” said Dr. Warren. “Our students are here to provide health screenings, enabling them to share what they’re learning about providing health care and participating this way at this race is a perfect way to blend community and service.”
The health fair provided many types of screenings. The College of Podiatric Medicine (CPM) held foot and ankle screenings led by preceptor and Assistant Professor Kelly Parks, DPM ‘16.
Second-year CPM student Heba Hasan said it was nice seeing people and families and the community come together in Pomona. She volunteered at the Pomona 5K and 10K health fair because she wanted more community experience. When interacting with a child who came for a foot screening it gave her a glimpse into how much she will learn next year, and that got her excited.
“I believe that’s a really great way to apply what we learn in didactic and put it into real use,” she said. “It also helps remind us why we’re doing this in the first place. A lot of times that gets lost when we’re just studying all the time. It’s good to see where we can be helpful and to see our studies really come to life.”
The WesternU Lions Club held vision screenings led by preceptor and WesternU Health Eye Care Institute Assistant Professor Briza Brooks. The WesternU student chapter of the California Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists (CSHP) had a booth providing vaccines and blood pressure. It was led by preceptor and Post-PharmD Year 1 or 2 Pharmacy Resident Evelyn Kim, PharmD.
The WesternU Academy of Managed Care Pharmacy (AMCP) held blood glucose screenings and WesternU College of Graduate Nursing (CGN) provided blood pressure and body mass index measurements. They were both led by preceptor Dr. Ruth Trudgeon, assistant professor for CGN. WesternU Physical Therapy Advocacy Club (PTAC), led by preceptor and Department of Physical Therapy Education Assistant Professor Dr. Tammy Keller Johnson, helped people with flexibility. WesternU American Association of Public Health Dentistry held dental screenings led by preceptor and College of Dental Medicine Associate Professor Dr. Mark Mintline.
College of Health Sciences Doctor of Physical Therapy student Grant Taylor said he volunteered at the Pomona 5/10K because he wanted an opportunity to perform the skills he practiced in the classroom/lab on individuals who may be looking for advice regarding aches and pains they experience during the race, or on a daily basis.
“Any time you get the opportunity to put your skills to the test is a rewarding one. I appreciate every participant or individual who gave me the time of day to not only work with them, but to also learn a little bit about themselves,” Taylor said. “I will continue to refine my skills so at the next event I can provide even better care to our community.”
