2012 Team Eye and Ear Members
We are excited to introduce the 54 members of Team Eye and Ear, Mass. Eye and Ear's marathon team that will be participating in the 2012 Boston Marathon on April 16. 2012 Team Eye and Ear members span a wide range of athletic abilities (novice to experience marathoners) and walks of life. They are generous and dedicated individuals who are athletes, fundraisers and ambassadors for Mass Eye and Ear. Their hard word, dedication and pure passion brings new hope and a healthier future to people everywhere who suffer from debilitating conditions affecting sight, hearing, voice, balance, taste and smell, as well as cancers of the eye, head and neck
Bill Barkeley (Grand Rapids, MI)
Bill joins Team Eye and Ear to celebrate his 50th Birthday and to continue to advocate his personal mission of No Barriers. Bill is one of approximately 15,000 people in the U.S. with Usher’s Syndrome, a disease that progressively robs people of both their hearing and vision. There are no known treatments. Bill has lost 85% of his hearing from birth and in his late teens began to experience night blindness and vision loss. Despite this, Bill travels the world as a deaf-blind adventurer and advocate. He completed climbs of Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Quandary, competed in the World T.E.A.M Sports, and hosted the 2011 No Barriers USA Summit. Last summer Bill led a group of 17 hearing impaired and deaf kids from around the U.S. on an adventure trip of a lifetime in Colorado. Bill has been a patient of Mass. Eye and Ear’s Dr. Eliot Berson for the past 20 years.
To support Bill, visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/BillBarkeley
Dana Brennan (Wellesley, MA)
Dana’s son, Danny, had tubes placed and adenoids removed by Dr. Leila Mankarious at Mass. Eye and Ear after it was discovered that he had 30% hearing loss. “Dr. Manikarious was superb and put us at ease,” Dana explains. Dana joins Team Eye and Ear to raise funds for the Curing Kids Fund to help other children experience life.
To support Dana, visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/DanaBrennan
Matt Brubaker (Audubon, PA)
Matt gets energized by achieving goals. As a dad , and a leader of a fast growing company, Matt feels that he is at he is at his best when he is balanced between his personal, family, work and physical health. Having worked as a consultant with Mass. Eye and Ear’s executive team, Matt has high regard for the hospital’s mission. He is excited to combine his personal drive and love of endurance sports to help support the mission of Mass. Eye and Ear.
To support Matt, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/MattBrubaker
Marvin Carey (Fitchburg, MA)
Two years ago, Marvin would sit on the couch with a cigarette and a tub of ice cream watching The Biggest Loser. After a remark from his daughter comparing his to the people on the show, which was later confirmed by his doctor, Marvin decided it was time for a change. He has since quit smoking and joined a gym, and lost 150 lbs. Marvin has found a new passion for running. He has run many 5K’s, 5-milers, and even a half-marathon during the past 18 months. Running the Boston Marathon is Marvin’s ultimate goal. “To run this marathon would not be just for me, but for others that struggle with weight issues,” Marvin explains. He is excited for the opportunity to join Team Eye and Ear this April for his first marathon.
To support Marvin, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/MarvinCarey
Gregg Carlo (Boston, MA)** Mass. Eye and Ear Employee
As a fundraising professional and member of Mass. Eye and Ear’s Development Office, Gregg is a pro at raising funds for a cause. Gregg joins Team Eye and Ear to combine his passions for fundraising, endurance sports, and the outdoors. Gregg enjoys hiking, snow shoeing, soccer, and has hiked the Appalacian / Long Trail from Canada through Connecticut with his dog, Maddie. He has participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure three times.and says “my running partners who – being cancer survivors - have taught me the greatest lessons of survival.”
To support Gregg, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/GreggCarlo
Meghan Chase (Middleboro, MA)
Meghan’s nephew, Alex, was diagnosed with Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS) when he was only a few weeks old. SWS is a disease that can effect both the eyes and the brain. One of the major signs of this disease is glaucoma and a build up of fluid in the eye. If left untreated, this can cause the eye to bulge out of the socket and can also cause vision loss or blindness. When Alex was two-years-old, Mass. Eye and Ear’s Dr. Douglas Rhee, performed surgery on Alex to successfully insert a shunt to alleviate the severe fluid build up and pressure in his eye. Today, at age 3, Alex’s eye pressure remains stable. However, because of SWS, Alex will suffer from glaucoma his entire life and will likely develop cataracts. Meghan finds hope in joining Team Eye and Ear to raise funds for Dr. Rhee’s research for her first marathon, “If I can raise funds that may help the future “Alexander’s” and their families, it would make the run that much more rewarding.”
To support Meghan, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/MeghanChase
Ayan Chatterjee (Cambridge, MA)** Mass. Eye and Ear Employee
Over the last decade, Ayan has witnessed his grandfather’s gradual vision loss due to Glaucoma and has thus been inspired to pursue a career in Ophthalmology. As a current medical student at University of Pennsylvania, Ayan is participating in a two-year glaucoma research fellowship at Mass. Eye and Ear under the guidance of Dr. Douglas Rhee. Ayan is looking forward to running his second Boston Marathon with Team Eye and Ear to fund glaucoma research.
To support Ayan, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/ayanchatterjee
Kevin Chin (Natick, MA)
Kevin joins Team Eye and Ear for his first marathon this April. Kevin is training to run the marathon to show that his asthma does not have to limit the challenges that he can accomplish. In addition,with a pharmaceutical engineering background, Kevin understands the importance of fundraising. “I support medical organizations in their pursuit of providing the best possible care to their patients,” Kevin explains.
To support Kevin, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/KevinChin
Ann Duvnjak (Boston, MA)
Ann is grateful to Mass. Eye and Ear for helping her grandfather, who was visiting Boston, after his hearing aid battery got stuck in his ear. “All of the employees were extremely helpful and helped to save the day,” she recalls. Ann is looking forward to contributing to the research and day-to-day operations at Mass. Eye and Ear while pursuing her dream of completing her first marathon.
To support Ann, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/AnnieDuvnjak
Lisa & Russ Fleming (Winchester, MA)
Husband and wife duo, Lisa and Russ are gearing up for another year with Team Eye and Ear. This will Lisa’s third time, and Russ’ second time, running with Team Eye and Ear. Lisa and Russ’ daughter, Emily, is currently seeing Mass. Eye and Ear’s Dr. Kathryn Colby for corneal lacerations. In addition, many of the Fleming’s friends have have been successfully treated at Mass. Eye and Ear. This year, the Flemings will be raising funds for Dr. Colby’s research on conjuctival melanoma, a rare but potentially deadly eye cancer similar to skin melanoma.
To support Lisa and Russ, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/LisaRussFleming
Courtney Foley (Braintree, MA)
Courtney has witnessed her grandfather and two aunts, who are all Mass. Eye and Ear patients, struggle with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), an incurable and debilitating genetic disease that results in a progressive vision loss and blindness. Courtney runs to help find a cure for RP. Courtney says, “If running for Mass. Eye and Ear helps to find a cure for Retinitis Pigmentosa, I would run any number of miles.”
To support Courtney, please vist www.crowdrise.com/CourtneyFoley
Alexandra Goresh (Boston, MA)
Alexandra loves to challenge herself. Her biggest, and most rewarding, challenge has been participating in the Pan-Mass Challenge twice in memory of her mother, who she lost to cancer in 2007. “There were many difficult moments on the rides where I thought I couldn't go any further,” explains Alexandra. “But then I would think about all the reasons I was riding, and find the energy to go on.” Alexandra is excited for her newest challenge: running the Boston Marathon with Team Eye and Ear this April!
To support Alexandra, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/AlexandraGoresh
Alexander Green (Brookline, MA)
Alex and his family have been long time supporters of Mass. Eye and Ear. His mother, Karen Green is a Mass. Eye and Ear trustee. Alex currently serves in the US Navy and is looking forward to returning to Boston to run with Team Eye and Ear.
To support Alex, email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Christopher Hartnick, MD (Newton, MA)** Mass. Eye and Ear Employee
Dr. Christopher Hartnick, Division Director of Pediatric Otolaryngology at Mass. Eye and Ear, is back for his second marathon with Team Eye and Ear with more determination than ever! Dr. Hartnick runs to raise funds for Mass. Eye and Ear’s pediatric laryngology lab, to translate scientific research into practical ways of helping children breathe and speak without a tracheotomy. Dr. Hartnick is also raising funds to support Operation Airway, a pediatric airway surgery mission to Ecuador that will take place summer 2012.
To support Dr. Hartnick, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/ChristopherHartnick
David Heard (Potomac, MD)
This April will mark David’s second time running the Boston Marathon as a member of Team Eye and Ear. As someone who once had terrible vision, David remembers the challenges he encountered and is looking forward to raising funds to help others like himself.
To support David, email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Graham Hoopingarner (Boston, MA)
Graham joins Team Eye and Ear for his first marathon. After hearing about Team Eye and Ear from his colleague, a past team member Graham decided it was time to “step up to the plate” and to run for a good cause.
To support Graham, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/GrahamHoopingarner
Courtney Hudson (Boston, MA)
Former Mass. Eye and Ear employee, Courtney, is back and ready to run. “I will always be a supporter of the work Mass. Eye and Ear does on a daily basis,” she explains. One of Courtney’s most rewarding challenges to date has been running the New York City Marathon in support of the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of her grandmother. Courtney says, “The experience instilled faith in my own abilities and determination.” Running with Mass. Eye and Ear this spring is Courtney’s way of thanking the hospital for all that they do.
To support Courtney, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/CourtneyHudson
Travis Jackson (Boston, MA)
Travis understands the importance of vision patient care. Travis’ father has had a slew of vision-related disorders including cataracts, glaucoma, and detached retinas. Travis looks forward to running with Team Eye and Ear for his first Boston Marathon to honor his family.
To support Travis, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Paul Kalina, MD (Edina, MN)
Dr. Kalina has completed many marathon for his fitness and personal goals. In fact, he has qualified for this April’s Boston Marathon. “With each step I take – whether in training or in the race – may it help someone retain or restore vision,” Dr. Kalina explains. This time, Paul is determined to use his love of running to help others. Although Paul now lives in Minnesota, he is very familiar with Mass. Eye and Ear, as he trained as a frellow in Glaucoma/Anterior Segment diseases from 1992 to 1993. Paul looks forward to return back to Boston and Mass. Eye and Ear in April for his fifth Boston Marathon.
To support Paul, please visit www.crowdrise.com/PaulKalina
Peggy Kelley (Woburn, MA) * Mass. Eye and Ear employee
Peggy takes care of Mass. Eye and Ear’s littlest patients as a pediatric nurse in the operating room at Mass. Eye and Ear. She is constantly inspired by the patients and families she sees each day that struggle with conditions that affect their quality of life. Peggy will be running this April’s Boston Marathon for her third year with Mass. Eye and Ear to raise funds for pediatric airway research and patient care to help the patients she sees and others around the world.
To support Peggy, please visit: www.crowdrise.com/PeggyKelley
Robert Knapp (Boston, MA)
Robert joins Team Eye and Ear for his fourth Boston Marathon. As a parent of a Mass. Eye and Ear patient, Robert understands the importance of patient care. Robert is teaming up with his former college roommate, Dr. Christopher Hartnick (also on Team Eye and Ear) to raise important funds for pediatric airway research and patient care.
To support Robert, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312
Yamil Kouri Jr., MD (Lexington, MA)
Dr. Kouri’s son, Yamil III, was born with Marfan syndrome and dislocated lenses, spending most of his young life legally blind. At a routine eye exam 18 months ago, doctors discovered that his retina had detached. Yamil III was immediately taken to Mass. Eye and Ear, where Dr. Shizuo Mukai, a retinal specialist, performed emergency surgery and saved young Yamil’s vision. He was so thankful that for his next birthday, Yamil III asked his friends and family to donate to Dr. Mukai’s research efforts. Now following in his son’s footsteps, Dr. Kouri is running with Mass. Eye and Ear to support the research and services Mass. Eye and Ear provides.
To donate to Dr. Kouri, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Josh Kruger, MD (Brookline, MA)** Mass. Eye and Ear Employee
As a Clinical Fellow in the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Josh is inspired by the patients he sees each day. He sees first-hand the effect that research can have on a patient’s life. Josh is teaming up with a team of two other physicians from the neuro-ophthalmology service to raise important research funding. This will be Josh’s first marathon; he enjoys the taking on new challenges. While not training for the marathon and seeing patients, Josh enjoys spending time with his five children.
To support Joshua, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/JoshuaKruger
Tania Martinez (Pflugerville, TX)
Tania is inspired by her three nephews who are autistic and have hearing disabilities. She sees how these hearing disabilities affect their quality of life each day and thus is running to raise funds specifically for hearing research at Mass. Eye and Ear. Tania says, “As a first generation Honduran-American, I am hardwired for excellence and have a genetic predisposition for passionate engagement and giving back.” This April will mark Tania’s first Boston Marathon and she is excited to be running for a cause she is so passionate about.
To support Tania, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/TaniaMartinez
Michael Mauze (Mill Valley, CA)
Michael enjoys the challenge of participating in endurance athletic events. In just the past 12 months, Michael has completed one full Ironman and three half-Ironmen. With a renewed dedication to fitness, Michael has lowered his half-ironman time by nearly two hours. Michael is also not new to giving back. He has fundraised for educational and arts associations near his home in California in the past. Michael is excited to join Team Eye and Ear for his first Boston Marathon this April.
To support Michael, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Heidi Mayer (Scottsdale, AZ)
Heidi is no stranger to fundraising; she raises over $50,000 a year for various organizations. She looks forward to using her fundraising experience to support Mass. Eye and Ear’s research and patient care while training to run her first Boston Marathon.
To support Heidi, please visit: www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/HeidiMayer
Will McNamara (Aspen, CO)
This April will mark Will’s fourth Boston Marathon with Team Eye and Ear. After a mountain biking accident near Vail, Colorado, Will suffered from a broken back. During surgery, he had a stroke to the optic nerve in both eyes, leaving him legally blind. Will runs with the hope that one day the research he is supporting will help restore his vision and help others who have had similar experience. “Dr. Joseph Rizzo at Mass. Eye an Ear has given me inspiration to move forward in my life after losing my sight,” Will explains. “It gives me a good feeling to be part of his team!” Since 2008, Will and his family has raised more than $40,000 for neuro-ophthalmology research at Mass. Eye and Ear.
To support Will, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/WillMcNamara
Chris Mehmel (East Sandwich, MA)
Chris runs to honor his kids, Matt & Rae, who live with Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a genetic eye condition resulting in loss of vision. Chris runs to help find a cure for this debilitating disease that affects everyday life for his children ,“As a runner who wears a prosthetic right leg, I want to set the example and the expectation for my kids that even though they may be visually impaired, they will succeed,” explains Chris. Chris is thrilled to be joining Team Eye and Ear to raise funds for research at Mass. Eye and Ear. “[Mass. Eye and Ear’s] pragmatic approach to RP research and their newly formed alliance with the Schepens Eye Research Institute will mean the best hope for preserving or restoring my kids’ eyesignt.”
To support Chris, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/ChrisMehmel
Pedro Neto & Ana Ribeiro (Lisbon, Portugal)
Husband-wife duo, Pedro and Ana, join Team Eye and Ear from Portugal to run their second Boston Marathon. They are avid runners and enjoy using their love of running to help others.
To support Pedro and Ana, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Lauren Nisbet (Boston, MA)** Mass. Eye and Ear Employee
As an occupational therapist in the Vision Rehabilitation Center at Mass. Eye and Ear, Lauren is consistently inspired by her colleges and the patients. She joins Team Eye and Ear this April for her third Boston Marathon and is excited to be raising funds for those with vision conditions. Lauren explains, “It is a great opportunity to help our department continue to provide the best quality care for our patients,”
To support Lauren, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/LaurenNisbet
Grady O’Gara (New York, NY)
Grady looks forward to returning to his hometown of Boston this April.. He is passionate about combining his love for endurance sports with giving back. Grady participated in the Pan Mass Challenge and also the Chicago and New York marathons to raise funds for organizations. Grady is excited to be joining Mass. Eye and Ear for his second Boston Marahton.
To support Grady, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/GradyOGara
Erin O’Leary (Boston, MA)** Mass. Eye and Ear Employee
Erin is inspired by the dedication she has seen during her first year working in the Marketing Department at Mass. Eye and Ear. “From the physicians to the researchers to the secretaries, everyone I’ve encountered seems truly dedicated to the mission of Mass. Eye and Ear,” she explains. Additionally, Erin’s good friend and fellow teammate Andrea Pukulis’ mother was successfully treated for ocular melanoma at Mass. Eye and Ear in 2003. Erin runs to help all the patients that walk through the front doors of Mass. Eye and Ear each day.
To support Erin, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/ErinOLeary
Cristiano Oliveira, MD (Brookline, MA)** Mass. Eye and Ear Employee
As a Clinical Fellow in the Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Cristiano is inspired by the many patients he sees each day. He sees first-hand the effect that research can have on the quality of a patient’s life and their loss of vision Cristiano is teaming up with a team of two other physicians from the neuro-ophthalmology service to raise important research funding. Cristiano is excited to join Mass. Eye and Ear for his first Boston Marathon.
To support Cristiano, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/CristianoOliveira
Laurene Overlan (Melrose, MA)
Doctors told Laurene at a very young age that she would never be able to run due to a bad leg break. Laurene has overcome this hurdle and will be joining Team Eye and Ear this April for her fourth Boston Marathon. Mass. Eye and Ear physicians and staff have treated a few of Laurene’s family members, including her ten-year-old daughter.
To support Laurene, please www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/LaureneOverlan
Eric Priel (Scotch Plains, NJ)
In just two years, Eric has completed his first sprint triathlon, a half ironman and a full marathon. He continues his journey this year by running the Boston Marathon with Mass. Eye and Ear. “I am grateful to be in good health and it’s always rewarding to give to those in need,” explains Eric.
To support Eric, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Andrea Pukulis (Brighton, MA)
Andrea is all too familiar with the halls of Mass. Eye and Ear. In 2002, doctors discovered a cancerous tumor behind her mother’s eye. After the coping with the devastating news, Andrea knew they had to find the best treatment possible for her mother. They soon found Mass. Eye and Ear and Dr. Evangelos Gragoudas as the leader in this field. Less than one month after diagnosis, Andrea’s mother had surgery and began proton beam therapy treatments. As the treatments subsided, so did the tumor. Eight years later, her mom has regained partial sight. “I can’t tell you how grateful I am for all the care, understanding, and expertise that the professionals at Mass. Eye and Ear provided my mother,“ Andrea explains. “It is so important to me to give back to an organization that gives lives back to so many.”
To support Andrea, please visit www.crowdrise.com/AndreaPukulis
Jack Savage (Middleton, NH)
Jack is running with Mass. Eye and Ear this April in honor of his late brother-in-law, Michael Kimball, who died when he was just 52 years old from ocular melanoma. Mike attributed the treatment and surgery that he received at Mass. Eye and Ear for giving him an additional five years after diagnoses. Mike left behind five kids plus extended family and many friends. He was an accomplished amateur runner, frequently finishing at the top of his age category in local races in New Hamsphire and southern Maine. Jack says, “Mike started the Boston Marathon twice, but did not finish. I plan to finish for him in 2012.” Jack will be raising funds for ocular melanoma research in hopes that other families will not have to go through what his family has gone through.
To support Jack, please www.crowdrise.com/jacksavage
Carolyn Shea (Braintree, MA)** Mass. Eye and Ear Employee
Carolyn has a passion for both endurance sporting events and helping Mass. Eye and Ear’s patients. Carolyn has completed more than a few Ironman Competitions and 12 marathons. As the manager of the Glaucoma Service at Mass. Eye and Ear, Carolyn sees each day the devastating effects that glaucoma has on a patient’s quality of life. She also sees how glaucoma can be managed with sight-saving medications. Carolyn says, “Due to illness, age, and/or economic conditions, many of the Glaucoma patients in our clinics cannot afford their required daily medication. I am running the 2012 Boston Marathon to help.” Carolyn will be raising funds for the Glaucoma Compassionate Care Fund to help glaucoma patients that cannot afford their medications.
To support Carolyn, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/CarolynShea
Doug Shire (Ithaca, NY)
Doug is the Engineering Manager at the VA Center for Innovative Visual Rehabilitation in Ithaca, NY and has his laces tied and is ready to get running. Doug works closely with Dr. Rizzo’s research team to develop a visual prosthesis to restore useful vision to patients who suffer from neural blindness due to diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa. Doug became inspired to not only help those with debilitating vision conditions through research, but also by raising funds as a member of Team Eye and Ear. Doug is inspired by the many people in his life. He says, “Every day, my family, my research co-workers, and the blind patients whose lives we will impact, all get up. They acknowledge their challenges and the things they can’t change, and then they go about doing their best anyway. This is what I’m doing, too.” This April will mark Doug’s second year on the team.
To support Doug, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/DougShire
David Stachura (Brighton, MA)
After hearing all of the stories of other Team Eye and Ear members last year, David was inspired to rejoin Team Eye and Ear for his second marathon. Battling through the training and the race was one of the most rewarding things he has done and doing in remembrance of his mother, who passed away from ALS (Lou Gerhig’s Disease) five years ago made it even better. David is excited to do it all again this year.
To support David, please visit
www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/DavidStachura
Rebecca Stacy, MD (Boston, MA)** Mass. Eye and Ear Employee
As an attending physician in Mass. Eye and Ear’s Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Rebecca is inspired by the many patients she sees each day. She sees first-hand the effect that research can have on the quality of a patient’s life and their loss of vision. Rebecca is teaming up with a team of two other physicians from the neuro-ophthalmology service to raise important research funding. This will be Rececca’s first Boston Marathon.
To support Dr. Stacey, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/RebeccaStacy
Patricia Sulick (Boston, MA)
Ten years ago, Tricia was involved in an accident in Nashville, TN when a horse she was riding rode her into a tree limb. As a result, Tricia had a fractured larynx and was unable to speak for nearly two years. Through many surgeries and hours of voice therapy, Patricia was thankfully able to regain 50% of her voice. She had to relearn how to speak and use her voice. Tricia explains “I have a very personal understanding of the effect that losing your voice has on your life.” Tricia runs with Team Eye and Ear to help others who may find themselves in a situation similar to her own.
To support Patricia, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/PatriciaSulick
Dick Svrluga (Cambridge, MA)
Dick joins Team Eye and Ear for his second year and this year, as a qualified runner. Dick is a founder of Summit Technologies, Inc., which was the first company to bring excimer laser refractive surgery to the market and played an key role in the creation of Laser Vision Correction and LASIK, Richard understands the importance of medical research in improving the quality of life of people around the world. “I have always held Mass. Eye and Ear in the highest regard,” Richard says, “it is an honor to represent them in the Boston Marathon”.
To support Richard, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
John Thomas (Toledo, OH)
John is an avid runner and has completed nearly a dozen marathons and half-marathons including NYC, DC, and Kansas City. He looks forward to join Team Eye and Ear to add Boston to this list. In addition, John is also a passionate fundraiser. He has raised more than $100,000 for various organizations.
To support John, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Jonathan Ting (Boston, MA) ** Mass. Eye and Ear Employee
As a Fellow in Rhinology at Mass. Eye and Ear, Jonathan understands the importance that research plays in patient care. Jonathan is consistently inspired by the patients he sees each day. He is excited to join Team Eye and Ear for his first Boston Marathon this April.
To support Jonathan, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Stuart Weiner (Stoughton, MA)
Stu strongly believes in giving back to his community and is very involved with chairing events at his temple. Stu looked to take on a new challenge to fundraise for a different type of event – and help people along the way. About five years ago, Stu signed up for a fitness bootcamp and was hooked on endurance sports. This April’s Boston Marathon is Stu’s next goal.
To support Stuart, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/StuWeiner
Lynne Werner (Seattle, WA)
As a Speech and Hearing Sciences Professor at the University of Washington, Lynne understands the importance of clinical practice. She has decided, that despite having qualified for the Boston Marathon, to join Team Eye and Ear to raise funds for further research. Being an avid runner, running in 150 competitions including the Badwater Ultramarathon, a number of 100 mile races, and even 24-hour runs, Lynne is excited to combine her passions for running with speech and hearing research.
To support Lynne, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Robert Wilson (Ayer, MA)
Robert explains, “I am 25 years too late for this race; but, I have the drive, dedication and determination to complete the 2012 Boston Marathon.” Robert joins Team Eye and Ear to raise funds for the Retina Service at Mass. Eye and Ear. Robert knows Mass. Eye and Ear well. His wife has been a patient at Mass. Eye and Ear for years and he has several friends who have sought treatmentment at the hospital, with exceptional results.
To support Robert, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Phoebe Yager, MD (Lexington, MA)
As an intensivist at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. Yager had the opportunity to participate in “Operation Airway,” a mission trip to Ecuador, this past summer with a small team of other physicians, nurses, and staff from MGH and Mass. Eye and Ear. Dr. Yager and the team helped change the lives of many Ecuadorian children. Phoebe is excited to be running with Mass. Eye and Ear to help fund another trip this summer. She is excited to run her fourth Boston Marathon with Mass. Eye and Ear to fund hope for children with airway disorders for children around the world.
To support Phoebe, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/phoebeyager
Dan Zacharias (Needham Heights, MA)
Although Dan has participated in competitive sports since he was a child, this April will mark Dan’s first marathon. Since earning his CFA Charter (which requires a minimum of three years of rigorous study and passing three very challenging examinations) in 2006, he has missed the rigorous discipline and focus required to achieve a difficult goal. Dan is ready to channel his drive to support the research and patient care at Mass. Eye and Ear and train for the Boston Marathon.
To support Dan, please email marathon@meei.harvard.edu or call 617-573-4312.
Brad & Terry Zimmerman (Moorestown, NJ)
In May of 2010, Brad was diagnosed with a vestibular schwannoma brain tumor, which necessitated surgical removal. After a twelve hour surgery, Dr. Michael McKenna successfully removed the tumor. Now, two years later, Brad, and his wife Terry, a Team Eye and Ear Veteran, are lacing up their sneakers to run the Boston Marathon this April. “We are so thankful that we found Mass. Eye and Ear,” Brad explains. “We want to play our small role in raising awareness and funds so that future patients will have the same access to the best possible surgical outcome and cutting edge treatment that I did.”
To support Brad & Terry, please visit www.crowdrise.com/TeamEyeAndEar/fundraiser/BradandTerryZimmerman
page updated: February 8, 2012
