Health Compass Newsletter

Another CMH caregiver has decided to go the distance for the BuildCMH Expansion Project.

Chris Laman, CMH’s vice president of strategy, will run an ultramarathon on Sept. 16 in Central Oregon. He plans to run the Mountain Lakes 100, a 100-mile race, to raise money for the CMH Foundation and for art to enhance the expanded hospital’s healing environment.

Laman was inspired to do the fundraiser by two of his colleagues, Randy McClelland and Aaron Brown, DO. McClelland skateboarded for 24 hours to raise money for art in the hospital expansion. Dr. Brown completed a 180-mile bike ride in England to raise funds for Lower Columbia Hospice.

“Randy came up with this idea of wanting to raise money for art in the hospital. I am super passionate about art and its ability to heal people, so I wanted to be part of this,” Laman says.

Art from local artists

Laman previously worked as CMH’s director of Pharmacy and Cancer Care Services. In that role, he and McClelland helped bring new artwork to the CMH-OHSU Knight Cancer Collaborative ahead of its opening in 2017.

“My experience in the Cancer Center has made me acutely aware of the impact art can have on a patient’s comfort level,” Laman says. “Having that level of comfort eases anxiety and puts them in a better position to receive care.”

Laman expects the expansion will need significantly more art than what was purchased for the Cancer Center. CMH will commission local artists to create unique pieces for the hospital.

“The hospital has been so committed over the past 15 years to work with local artists,” Laman says. “We’re not going to send money to artists in New York. We will purchase the art from local artists so (that the investment) goes back to the community.”

Ready to run

Laman’s run will begin at Olallie Lake, then continue toward the Pacific Crest Trail, where most of the run will be held.

“Seventy miles of it is on the Pacific Crest Trail,” Laman says. “I’ve hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail before and am excited to be out there again.”

He started prepping for the race in January. He regularly runs before and after work, as well as during weekends. In June, he went for a 50-mile test run, which he completed in 10 hours.

“I’m very excited to do something I love and have it support the BuildCMH Expansion Project and our patients,” Laman says.

Categories: BuildCMH Expansion Project