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LIFESTYLE
MEDICINE

Olympic weightlifting or a pull-up contest. These initiatives aim to cre- our collaboration with Kinetic Kids, we hope to both teach these chil-
ate friendly competition among schools, motivating these busy students dren how to be active as well as provide support and foster an environ-
to continue prioritizing their health and fitness. ment where they can flourish in spite of their multifaceted struggles.
This partnership reflects the organization's commitment to using their
Community Outreach passion for lifting as a force for positive change in the community.
Beyond the confines of the university, UTHSCSA Lifting expands UTHSCSA Lifting stands as a testament to the power of combining
its impact into the community through meaningful partnerships with passion, community and philanthropy. As a student-led organization,
local groups. One such collaboration is with Kinetic Kids, an organi- it not only promotes physical fitness within the Health Science Center
zation dedicated to providing sports and recreation opportunities for but also reaches out to the broader community, exemplifying the spirit
children with special needs. Members of UTHSCSA Lifting actively of service that is integral to healthcare professionals. Through their ded-
participate in initiatives with Kinetic Kids, orchestrating events and ac- ication to making lifting inclusive and accessible, UTHSCSA Lifting
tivities designed to foster health and fitness among children facing is creating a culture of support, empowerment and health that extends
physical and intellectual challenges. These activities are particularly far beyond the gym.
meaningful, as they cater to children who are often unable to partici-
pate in conventional sports camps and activities due to their unique Victoria (Tori) Vargas is a medical student at the Long School
needs. Most recently, we started a project with Kinetic Kids focusing of Medicine, Class of 2026.
on the relationship between mental and physical health in children
with special needs, specifically surrounding their AgilityFit CrossFit Andrew Ta is medical student at the Long School of Medicine,
program. Our objective was to observe the impact on mental well-being Class of 2026. He is the 2023 Student-Faculty Collaborative
following a targeted 6-week program that teaches basic resistance train- Practice President overseeing the six student-run free clinics and
ing and CrossFit movements. This project is especially important for is the 2023-2024 writing lead for Connective Tissue, the school's literature
the children in Kinetic Kids, many of whom grapple not only with their and arts journal. Andrew is also a member of the BCMS Publications
primary disabilities but also the accompanying emotional hurdles. In Committee.

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