January 7, 2019

The Maroon Fitness Center at the UPMC Department of Neurosurgery was dedicated on January 7 2019 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.  Located within the Department on the 4th floor adjacent  to the Resident offices, the gym is fully equipped with a heavy-duty treadmill, exercise bike, free weights and weight bench.

The Maroon Fitness Center is named after Joseph C. Maroon, MD, Neurosurgeon at UPMC, who in part funded the purchase of the equipment. Dr Maroon, along with Dr Robert M. Friedlander, MD, MA, Chairman of the Department (Pictured),  L. Dade Lunsford, MD, FACS, FAANS, Director, Residency Training Program, other staff members and residents initiated the Departmental Wellness Program over two years ago.

At the dedication Dr Friedlander recognized Dr Maroon’s long standing efforts to focus a spotlight on the  burnout epidemic occurring in healthcare professionals.  The existence of the gym is in addition to ongoing efforts by the department and Dr Maroon to add wellness-related lectures for both staff and resident facility education.

Dr Maroon is considered an expert on burnout and his burnout prevention book, Square One: A Simple Guide to a Balanced Life, has just been re-released as second edition.  The book 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.

Dr Maroon speaks annually to the residents at UPMC and is now lecturing to other departments within and outside UPMC.  Learn more about the Square One book HERE.