The 2021 Nature’s Emporium Run for Southlake is complete and all of us on team TRAUMA CHASERS have finished our chosen distance, but truthfully, every one of us is far from feeling the burn! In fact, we’re feeling revitalized and, as a group closer than ever.
Team TRAUMA CHASERS is made up of 24 members of Southlake Regional Health Centre’s Emergency Department (ED). With COVID-19 having a tremendous effect on all of us in the department, the Run was a welcome distraction.
This was our third year as the TRAUMA CHASERS and the virtual 4-week do it your own way format was perfectly timed. Many of us ran, some for the first time, others hiked with their family, some biked. Whatever each of us did, it was a great way to shed the stresses of the job and spend time looking after ourselves.
Sarah Widawski, RN, and Dr. Eddie Chan, co-captains of Team Trauma Chasers, accept their Hospital Team Challenge Trophy on behalf of Southlake’s Emergency Department with Foundation CEO Jenn Klotz-Ritter and Medical Cheif of Staff, Dr. Rob Beatty.
As this year’s Hospital Department Challenge winners, we did tremendously well as a group. A lot of the credit goes to Dr. Eddie Chan who many of us considered to be the “fire” behind the team. Dr. Chan rallied his physician group of ER doctors to support every person who joined Trauma Chasers with a $100 donation. That each of us was able to begin our race with at least a $100 in our fundraising column was a gift. Of course everyone on that physician group, as well as all of us who either donated or fundraised had the same sense – that those dollars would come right back to us, helping us and other members of the Southlake team.
Dr. Chan and co-captain and team founder, Sarah Widawski created a lot of excitement amongst our team members, posting to social media, sending motivational email blasts, and simply ensuring everyone was engaged and enjoying their experience.
The fact that we were able to field such a large team is truly a testament to how the department functions as a whole. In the ED, clinical experts from every discipline, nurses, doctors, every medical and support person, and security, we are all on an equal playing field, a team. Now in our second year into the pandemic we really have become a family, checking in with each other and investing more time together. Participating in the Southlake Run was one more way to build relationships within our team.
Like everyone involved, we are hoping next year’s Run can go back to the streets and we can all be together crossing the finish line. Whatever happens, we are proud of the money we were able to raise for our hospital, helping the Southlake Foundation exceeded its goal of $175,000. There’s no doubt next year the TRAUMA CHASERS will be back, bigger and better than ever.
Trauma Chasers
Proudly representing Southlake’s Emergency Department
