The Running Obstetrician finds work-life balance

The continuing series celebrating UConn Health professions introduces us this week to Dr. Christopher Morosky, The Running Obstetrician.  Learn a little about what it's like to support patients and families through the momentous occasion of childbirth during these unprecedented times and how running fits in to his life.  Dr. Morosky will be running the 10K next month as part of the UConn Health Half Marathon, 10K & 5K virtual race.
 
Meet "The Running Obstetrician"
For Dr. Christopher Morosky, OB/GYN, running has provided an ideal fitness routine that can be squeezed into the busy schedule of a doctor, teacher, researcher and father of three.  With just a pair of running shoes and a decent day, Dr. Morosky can clear his mind and bring things into focus. 

Labor and Delivery doesn't get put on hold during a pandemic. Dr. Morosky continues to see patients in the office for prenatal care, ultrasounds and non-stress tests.  Like so many others that keep the hospital running, he's performing his usual duties but also changing and adapting to meet the needs of this crisis.  He credits his colleagues with creating effective new workflows, safety procedures and modified plans for patient care to support patient needs in new ways.

Many precautions are being taken to keep moms, babies and staff as safe as possible.  These necessary changes have had an impact on the real-life connections that expectant families can typically make around this special time. Patients cannot bring any visitors with them to office visits, and they are limited to just one support person at the hospital for delivery (the same person can stay but not leave and return).
 

We understand the impact this has - the many missed special moments for family and friends.  I have seen the amazing flexibility and sacrifice of our patients to change their hopes and expectations of office, hospital and birth experiences to keep everyone as safe as possible.  We’re trying to make some accommodations, we feel it’s really important for women to have that birth support, and it’s also important for the family member or spouse to experience the birth.

Dr. Morosky feels grateful to be able to take care of these patients. Supporting them through the momentous occasion of childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic only strengthens his gratitude to do this job everyday.

UConn Health is a teaching hospital and Dr. Morosky also thrives in his roles as educator and researcher.  But just like the changes for elementary, middle and high school learning, the medical school also had to adapt its curriculum to an online format and temporarily halt medical students' clinical rotations.

No matter how good a video you produce, it's a challenge to teach how to deliver a baby without being at the bedside.  But I am confident that the modifications we are creating at the medical school will allow our students to return to the clinical environment fully prepared to jump right in.

The accomplishments of graduating medical students and residents were celebrated differently this past weekend through online ceremonies, but with the same degree of excitement and respect for their hard work and commitment.  Dr. Morosky's congratulations video sums up his well wishes to his students and his enthusiasm for UConn: https://youtu.be/5p54Ti3odYo

Chris is training to run for his fellow healthcare heroes in June.  He'll be running the UConn Health 10K with a few of his favorite running partners, his kids. 

It is extra special to reach the finish line with your kids. Now that they're getting a little older, they are beating me there! 

Registration in the UConn Health Half Marathon, 10K & 5K virtual race June 4-7 will support the UConn Health COVID-19 Rapid Response Fund.  For information or to register, please visit the RACE INFO page.