A world-class neurodegenerative researcher and “the push-up queen” were among Wednesday’s additions for Friday’s push up challenge to raise money for the UNMC Haitian Relief and Outreach Fund.
The researcher — Howard Fox, M.D., Ph.D., professor in the department of pharmacology and experimental neurosciences (PEN) — joined the challenge thanks to some thoughtful graduate students who signed him up.
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There’s still time to get into the challenge, which will take place at noon in the Durham Outpatient Center West Atrium. To sign up, just contact Chuck Brown at cdbrown@unmc.edu or 559-8329, then get some sponsors and show up on Friday.
The roster for the challenge as of Wednesday afternoon was as such:
- Dr. Howard Fox;
 -  Lori Dawson;
 - Jessica Hutter Saunders, a PEN graduate research assistant;
 - Thomas Hejkal, M.D., chairman of the department of ophthalmology and visual sciences;
 - Chuck Brown, UNMC Today editor;
 - Susannah Logsdon, compliance coordinator for the Institutional Review Board;
 - Peter Pellerito, fitness specialist in the Center for Healthy Living;
 - Christine Gilling, graduate assistant in the department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy;
 - Aaron Persinger, second-year medical student; and
 - Aaron Pilley, graduate student.
 
All participants seek sponsors to raise money for the Haiti fund, which supports UNMC’s volunteer efforts in the earthquake-ravaged nation. Sponsors can pledge to give on a per-push up basis (example: $2 per push up) or simply pledge a flat donation.
To sponsor any of the above participants, click on his or her name and send an e-mail that outlines how much you will give.