“Miles Across MedStar” Finished Four-Day Wellness Journey Across Region

PHOTOGRAPHY BY NATHAN CORBIN // PRINCE GEORGE’S SUITE MAGAZINE

MAIN PHOTO: Ultramarathoner Michael Wardian, MedStar Health physical therapist Chris Heydrick, and Physician’s Assistant Chris Wilde make their way to the MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital stop as part of their four-day run, bringing awareness to movement and better health.

A four-day run was a celebration of movement, endurance, and healthier living. It concluded April 16, as MedStar Health’s “Miles Across MedStar” initiative crossed the finish line after nearly 200 miles of running through hospitals and healthcare sites across the region.

Mike Wardian, ultramarathoner, professional runner.

The multi-day effort was designed to spotlight the life-changing health benefits of regular physical activity while energizing employees, patients, and surrounding communities. Over four days, participants visited approximately 15 MedStar Health locations, including 10 hospitals and several ambulatory care sites, turning each stop into a rallying point for wellness and inspiration.

“The wellness run was really inspired by seeing a lot of the other long-distance relay-type runs,” said Dr. Raj Ratwani, Vice president of Scientific Affairs at MedStar. It’s patterned after the Ragnar Relay Series. Ragnar is a series of long-distance running relay races. Teams of 6 to 12 runners run approximately 200 miles over two days and one night. In this case, the four-day run weaved through the MedStar Hospital Center locations across Maryland – stopping at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital on April 13.

“Our goal was to really raise awareness of the importance of movement for our overall well-being and our health, and to bring that message to all of the communities that MedStar serves,” Dr. Ratwani says.

The run was a literal on-the-ground-based messaging campaign that moved through rural, urban, and suburban areas, multiple socio-economic neighborhoods, and across various ethnic communities. The run started in St. Mary's in the south, went north running through Washington, DC and ended up outside of Baltimore [see map].

Leading the charge was renowned ultramarathoner Michael Wardian. MedStar Health physical therapist Chris Heydrick and physician assistant Chris Wilde later joined. Together, the trio transformed sidewalks, streets, and hospital campuses into a moving symbol of commitment to better health. MedStar routinely works with Wardian, who immediately accepted the health center’s call to action. Later, as the project grew, MedStar professionals Heydrick and Wilde (also runners) joined the effort.

Their route honored the legacy of great distance runners while encouraging people of all ages to embrace movement—whether through walking, jogging, stretching, or exercise routines tailored to their own lives.

“The research tells us that we should be moving 150 minutes per week--which is roughly 20-25 minutes per day,” Ratwani says of the core message of “Miles Across MedStar”. He shared four key points with Prince George’s Suite Magazine & Media.

1. Any movement is better than no movement. 5 – 10 minutes per day is good if that’s all you can do.

2. Make the time, be consistent. Work schedules are very busy, but it’s important to fit physical movement into your day.

3. Movement proactively improves your well-being physically and mentally.

4. Movement helps with recovery if you do have a health event (ex: heart attack, stroke).

The event also highlighted compelling medical research. According to information shared during the initiative, regular exercise can reduce cases of diabetes by nearly 60 percent. MedStar Health Research Institute is also studying how lifestyle interventions can support healthy aging, particularly in the areas of cognition, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.

At each stop, employees and staff members welcomed the runners with enthusiasm, creating a festive atmosphere that blended fitness with a healthcare purpose. Applause, smiles, and wellness-themed activities underscored a powerful message: health does not begin only in the doctor’s office—it begins in everyday choices.

MedStar will consider expanding the run next year after a full assessment of the results of the current campaign.

“If I were to be asked: ‘Are we inspiring people?’ As of right now, I would reply with a resounding ‘Yes!’ We’ve had so much interaction with MedStar associates and patients. The runners have been with people as they were running on the streets. We're getting lots of great social media engagement. I think all indicators are that we are receiving what we've wanted to achieve.”

Although the decision hasn’t been made, the road ahead looks good.

“If we did this again, we'd like to expand it and maybe even see runners like me jump in and run 10, 15 or 20 miles,” says Dr. Ratwani. “I’d love to.”