From volunteer to medical director: HSC medical director’s 46th year at Cowtown Marathon
If you’ve ever received medical care at the Cowtown Marathon, chances are you’ve seen Dr. Jeff Beeson, interim executive vice president of health systems and vice president of clinical partnerships at The University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.
Beeson is no stranger to the Cowtown Marathon. His connection dates back to the inaugural run in 1979, when his dad, Don Beeson, was the chief of police at what was then the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine before it became HSC.
“It was a family event in the early days” Beeson. “I never could have imagined how large the Cowtown Marathon has become.”
Early in his involvement with the race, Dr. Beeson would do things like setting course cones and dragging barricades to block intersections. Now, 46 years later, Beeson is still carrying on the family tradition. He has been the medical director of the race for the past eight years, responsible for overseeing the safety and health of more than 20,000 runners each year.
As medical director of the race, Beeson leads a team of more than 100 student and faculty/staff volunteers from HSC – the medical sponsor of the race – to provide medical support for runners.
The interprofessional medical teams of students studying to become doctors, physical therapists, physician assistants and nurses staff the marathon’s 24 fluid stations, watching for any runner who needs medical attention. The volunteers also provide services in the medical tent at the start/finish line.
“The Cowtown Marathon provides an opportunity for our students and faculty to use their medical skills serve the community.” Beeson said.
Runners can face a range of medical issues, from muscle cramps, dehydration and fatigue to more serious conditions. In 2018, a runner suffered appendicitis near the start line, while in 2017, a terminally ill patient with a brain tumor received student assistance crossing the finish line.
Caring for runners has evolved over the years. Medical volunteers now use an app called RaceSafe that streamlines information sharing, allowing runners to preload their health histories before the race starts. This gives medical volunteers immediate access to health information should an emergency arise.
The Cowtown Marathon has grown significantly since the first run in 1979, adding more races and new patient safety technology. But one thing remains the same—Dr. Jeff Beeson will be there making sure all runners are safe and healthy throughout the weekend.
“The vision of HSC is to define and produce the providers of the future” Beeson said. “The Cowtown Marathon has made a significant impact on the physician I am today.”
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