University Orthopedics Makes $20,000 Donation to Make-A-Wish

EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (July 11, 2019) – When the final numbers were tallied, University Orthopedics (UOI) raised $20,000 during its inaugural 5k Road Race to benefit Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Leaders from University Orthopedics presented the donation to Make-A-Wish Coordinator Hillary Muntz this week.

“It was a great day but the most important thing is that we raised enough money for two or three wishes for local children and their families,” said Dr. Aristides Cruz, a Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon at University Orthopedics and the first participant to burst through the finish line.

Nearly 400 runners and walkers arrived ready to test their stamina, and endurance at the fundraiser. Participants raced along the Providence River, completing a 5k course that ended at University Orthopedics’ new Kettle Point Campus in East Providence.


“University Orthopedics hosted a lovely event that highlighted the meaningful work of our charity. The excitement of the participants could be felt, and the event was made even more impactful by one of our wish moms, who spoke on behalf of her daughter’s experience as a wish child,” said Muntz, a special events coordinator at Make-A-Wish MA/RI. “Thank you, University Orthopedics, for organizing such a successful event.”

Make-A-Wish® Massachusetts and Rhode Island creates life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 500 children in Massachusetts and Rhode Island are diagnosed with critical illnesses each year.

Event sponsors included:

Gold sponsors
Hilb Group, Cameron & Mittleman, Sansiveri, Kimball & Co., LLP, Washington Trust, and American Tele-Connect Services, Inc.

Silver sponsors
Image First Healthcare Laundry Specialists, XRIT/Canon, Michael Integlia & Company Dion Signs, W.B. Mason, DePuy Synthes Joint Reconstruction, Athena Health, and WPRI TV.

Bronze sponsors
Surgical Care Affiliates, Cox Business, Smith & Nephew, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island, Envision, Shields Brokerage, Rhode Island Medical Imaging, and Zimmer Biomet.

“Thank you to our generous sponsors and to everyone who came out to make this day a great success,” Dr. Cruz said.