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Motivated to cross the finish line
October 03, 2025
From left, Paulette Schwartz from human experience; Jennifer Ferrand, PsyD, director of well-being; David Pepper, MD, Hartford Hospital; and Nicole Morales of the HHC Rehab Network.
Hartford HealthCare went the distance at the Believe 208 5K in memory of East Hartford Police Officer Paul Buchanan and many other men and women of law enforcement who have died by suicide.
The race marked a milestone for a group of HHC colleagues who participated in a fitness program to help get non-runners in shape.
Jackie Lambert hadn’t run in almost 10 years, after being sidelined by an ankle fracture and plantar fasciitis surgery, but when she heard about a Hartford HealthCare program to get colleagues moving, she signed up.
In September, the Journey to 5K Program — and her determination to hit certain milestones before her 60th birthday in January — propelled her over the finish line in the Believe 208 5K race, which supports first responder wellbeing. Dozens of Hartford HealthCare colleagues joined Lambert on the course.
It was the first race she’d run since joining the HHC colleague running club and the program it sponsored through Sonic Endurance to motivate others to run. Lambert says the program’s coach made the Journey to 5K fun.
“I joined in July 2025 because I wanted to get back into running,” says the Backus Hospital mammography coordinator. “She encouraged everyone weekly. I would describe it as a journey to a healthier you. You don’t have to have any background in running — some participants had never even run before! It was the best thing I have done for my health,” she says.
Although she had competed in a few 5Ks before, she says the latest left her “a bit nervous.”
“But I ended up with the best time yet!” she says, adding that she also participated in the HHC Riverfront Recapture 5K in Hartford on Sept. 20 and Surf Town 5K on Sept. 7. “The Believe 208 5K went really well. There were so many supportive people participating. That race was my best so far, even though I did walk some.”
The HHC public safety team was represented by John Rodriguez, second from left, Jeff Quirion and Eric Barboza. With them are Katelyn Baker, left, from Hartford Hospital, and Paulette Schwartz from human experience.
After finishing the Journey to 5K program sponsored by the HHC running club, Katelyn Baker from Hartford Hospital, left, and Carla Morillo of the HHC Medical Group, Division of Surgical Oncology, joined runners at the race.
Ken Sullivan of public safety was on hand for the event.
Jackie Lambert, Backus Hospital, Radiology, recent grad of the Journey to 5K