Steven Anisman, M.D.’2001, recently joined Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) in St. Albans, Vermont, as the hospital’s first full-time cardiologist. While NMC can provide some cardiac care, Franklin County patients typically need to travel to UVM Medical Center for tests, pacemakers, and defibrillators.
As part of NMC’s efforts to expand its cardiac care services, Rotarians inspired by their participation last year paddling in Burlington’s Dragonheart race came up with the idea for the inaugural Rotary Cardiac Champ Challenge to make a splash this summer and raise funds for the Cardiac Department at Northwestern Medical Center, the St. Albans Messenger reports.
On July 27, about 30 teams will race 18-foot inflatable boats from the shores of Kill Kare State Park. Teams of eight people will compete three at a time, racing about 300 yards around a set of buoys and back. Each team will have the chance to go at least twice. The fastest team at the end of the day will take home medals.
Teams are encouraged to raise $1,000 each to benefit NMC’s purchase of critical cardiac care equipment. The St. Albans Rotary Club has spent the last year planning the event and purchasing the boats, paddles and life jackets. All people need to do is show up ready to paddle.
Beyond racing, participants can enjoy live music, dancing, lawn games and food. Bring a camp chair to sit back and enjoy the lakeside views.
The Cardiac Champ Challenge hopes to fund a cardiac reading station to read echoes and nuclear stress tests in-house, along with associated software, to upgrade NMC’s ability to perform such routine tasks as EKGs, stress tests, and monitors—and provide the IT framework needed to eventually to support a device clinic for pacemakers, defibrillators, and implantable loop recorders.