Patient’s drive to get moving at St. Luke's FitOne inspires St. Luke’s surgeon to join him

St. Luke’s orthopedic surgeon Dr. Zach Yenna stays active, but not every outdoor activity is his favorite.

“I’m not a runner at all,” he said with a laugh.

But there he was Saturday morning, Sept. 21, surrounded by thousands of others, ready to take part in St. Luke’s FitOne, participating in the 5K after a promise to a patient (and fellow St. Luke’s team member).

Back in April, Rich Shelvock told Dr. Yenna that after having partial knee replacements in both knees that his goal was to complete the FitOne 5K in September.

“We talked about trying to get him back into whatever activities he enjoyed, and earlier in his life, he was a runner, so he talked about doing FitOne, and I told him if he felt good enough to do it, we’d do it with him,” Dr. Yenna said.

Two members of Dr. Yenna’s team also said they’d do it — RN Teri Luginbill and medical assistant Jesse Enriquez signed up, too.

Shelvock, a cashier at the St. Luke’s Nampa cafeteria, was a distance runner in high school and while serving in the Navy. Back issues forced him to stop running for about 25 years until he picked it back up again about 10 years ago — in fact, the 2015 FitOne was his first race.

But arthritis struck in his knees and hearing a partial replacement was an option made him a bit nervous.

“I was a little tentative with the first one, but it turned out so well, when it was time to schedule the other knee, I was like ‘heck yeah’ to get it done as soon as I could,” said Shelvock, 65. “I’m a big fan of what Dr. Yenna and his team did for me; the technology is just incredible.”

Shelvock ran about one-third of the 5K on Saturday, finishing in 44 minutes, 56 seconds. His goal was an hour.

His only disappointment? He was unable to find Dr. Yenna during the race.

Yenna walked the 5K with his family and it turned out he hit the starting line only about 3 minutes behind Shelvock, who was joined by his wife and two daughters.

But the pair did get together not too long after the race – Shelvock had an appointment with Dr. Yenna on Tuesday.

“I love his attitude, how supportive he is. I thought it was pretty great he wanted to do the 5K and wound up finishing. When I got home, I had to check to see how he did,” Shelvock said. “Working at St. Luke’s — and being a patient — has been absolutely phenomenal."

FitOne success! Thousands take part in annual St. Luke’s races

Thousands of participants took part in St. Luke’s annual FitOne 5K, 10K and half marathon races on Saturday, Sept. 21 in Boise.

More than 13,000 people registered for this year’s FitOne — Idaho’s largest race.

Funds raised from FitOne support initiatives aimed at improving health outcomes in our communities, helping children and families live their healthiest lives. Previous projects funded by FitOne include the development of school tracks, installation of hydration stations and contributions to the St. Luke's Children's Pavilion, among others.

In the first 10 years, more than $998,000 was raised.