Contact: Jacquelyn Spruce
Phone: (210) 567-0414
E-mail: sprucej@uthscsa.edu


Whether it’s in a laboratory or an office setting, we can expect to see our colleagues each day working to advance our institution. But many of us have special interests outside of work, too. The HSC News recently introduced “After Hours,” a feature section in the newsletter that spotlights Health Science Center employees and the particularly unique things they do when the workday ends…

Susan Torchia stays committed to the March of Dimes and its campaign.
Printer Friendly Format

Susan Torchia, research data management coordinator in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, spends the majority of her work time evaluating and processing information about participants involved in the Women’s Health Initiative study. But after hours, she is actively involved in supporting charities, specifically, the March of Dimes.

“I originally became involved in the campaign to support infants like my brother, who was born prematurely overseas almost 50 years ago,” Torchia said. “He was one of the fortunate premature infants to be born without any major problems.”

As an 8-year-old girl, seeing her baby brother born just shy of two pounds and no more than 12 inches long was frightening. Her brother was lucky to survive with no long-term effects, but Torchia realizes that millions of premature infants are not so fortunate.

“I want for the San Antonio community to become more aware of the effects and the increasing number of premature births,” Torchia said.

Each year, Torchia participates in the March of Dimes’ primary annual fundraising event: WalkAmerica. Funds raised through the 5K walk are used to improve the health of babies through education programs and medical research. This year’s walk will be held May 20 at Brackenridge Park.

“This local walk helps expand the mission of the March of Dimes throughout our community,” Torchia said.

For several years, the Health Science Center and University Hospital have partnered to support San Antonio’s WalkAmerica. “We sell candy and pins, and the funds are donated to the March of Dimes.”

Torchia hopes to help increase participation this year. Her office is filled with decorations and items that promote the March of Dimes campaign. Individuals can purchase stuffed animals and other promotional items in her office to support the campaign. She also has a personal Web page on the WalkAmerica Web site that allows individuals to sponsor her as an individual. www.WalkAmerica.org/. Keyword: Torchia

“My goal is to recruit 25 walkers and to raise $500 to contribute to the March of Dimes,” she said.

Rajam Ramamurthy, M.D., medical director of the PREMIEre program, is the 2006 chairperson of the local March of Dimes chapter. Carolyn McLerran, R.N., M.S.N., coordinator of the PREMIEre program, and Dee Freeman, R.N., B.S.N., administrative director of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and newborn services at University Hospital, are co-captains of the Health Science Center/University Hospital team. The team’s goal is to raise $10,000 and have 200 walkers participating.

For more information or to get involved, contact Torchia: Torchia@uthscsa.edu or McLerran: (210) 567-5235.

To submit a story idea to After Hours, e-mail sprucej@uthscsa.edu.