Maroon Fitness Center Dedicated

Pittsburgh, January 7, 2019 -- The Department of Neurological Surgery dedicated the Maroon Fitness Center—a workout room fully-equipped with a heavy-duty treadmill, exercise bike, free weights and weight bench—January 7 at the department’s UPMC Presbyterian offices.

The fitness center is part of an overall wellness program initiated by sports medicine expert Joseph Maroon, MD, department chairman Robert Friedlander, MD, and department residency program director L. Dade Lunsford, MD, over two years ago to help fight the growing occurrence of burnout among healthcare professionals. The gym—located adjacent to the department's resident offices—will complement wellness-related lectures and other department efforts to help physicians, residents and staff establish and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The center is named after Dr. Maroon, a world-renown expert on burnout, diet and healthy living, who helped fund the purchase of the equipment. At the dedication, Dr. Friedlander recognized Dr. Maroon’s long-standing efforts to focus a spotlight on the burnout epidemic. Dr. Maroon’s recently re-released health book, Square One: A Simple Guide to a Balanced Life, explains the importance of understanding where you are in life and the need to keep all elements of your life in proper “balance,” using his own episode of burnout as an example.

Robert Friedlander with Joseph Maroon and residents Justiss Kallos, Michael McDowell, Hanna Algattas and Nitin Agarwal.