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for the 45,000 racers and 1.7 million
spectators who may need it, and is in
charge of as many as 1,400 physicians,
nurses, physical therapists, medical
students, and other healthcare volunteers.
“We’re proud of the work that Dr.
Chiampas has done in his six years as
the Bank of America Chicago Marathon
medical director,” says Carey Pinkowski,
executive race director. “He has recruited
a team of medical volunteers that is
second to none and the organization and
structure that he has helped develop is a
model for other marathons and running
events world-wide.”
On average, the medical staff treats
more than 1,000 individuals every year.
Common conditions include dehydration,
disorientation, heat-related injuries, and
issues related to pre-existing health
problems such as diabetes. With cooler
than normal temperatures on race day
this year, volunteers also saw several
cases of hypothermia and patients with
flu-like symptoms.
The majority of extremely ill runners
get treated near the finish line. Sanjeev
Malik MD, GME ’07, assistant professor of
emergency medicine, serves as team
captain for the Intensive Care Unit
stationed at the end. He and a group of
about 50 volunteers typically see more
than 40 individuals, mostly within a
two-and-a-half-hour timeframe.
While most sports medicine doctors
begin in family and community medicine,
internal medicine, or pediatrics, Malik
says the emergency medicine background
he and Dr. Chiampas share is a
boon in this environment.
“If there’s any medical setting that the
marathon most relates to, it’s the ER,” he
explains. “The ability to screen patients
very quickly and treat life-threatening
issues up front is a natural part of
training for an emergency room doctor.
ward rounds Fall/Winter 2012 — p.11