The 2014 Iroquois Steeplechase, Nashville’s annual spring horse racing tradition, has selected one of Vanderbilt’s own as an honorary co-chair and also announced a new pre-race event — a golf tournament.
As a premier race in American steeplechasing, the Iroquois Steeplechase draws more than 25,000 spectators who come out to support the event and its beneficiary, the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The race, in its 73rd year, will be Saturday, May 10, at Percy Warner Park.
Gregory Mencio, M.D., chief of Pediatric Orthopedics at Children’s Hospital, has been named an honorary co-chair for the 2014 event to represent Children’s Hospital. He will serve alongside Bank of America President John Stein, a current Children’s Hospital Board member and former president of the Board.
“It is an honor to serve as co-chair for this fantastic event,” said Mencio, vice chair of Orthopaedics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. “The Iroquois Steeplechase supports an important community institution that is dear to my heart, and I look forward to representing the medical professionals of Children’s Hospital for this year’s race.”
A graduate of the Duke University School of Medicine, Mencio received additional training in general surgery at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and in Pediatric Orthopaedics at Newington Children’s Hospital (currently Connecticut Children’s Medical Center). He has been actively involved in medical mission work for more than 20 years.
In addition to his roles within the hospital, Mencio has had many roles in various professional organizations, including his current post as president-elect of the Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America (POSNA) and the Tennessee Orthopaedic Society, among others.
New among this year’s pre-race events is the Iroquois Steeplechase Golf Tournament, which will be held Monday, April 14, at the Hillwood Country Club in Nashville.
The 4th annual Steeplechase LookBook Fashion Show is set for Thursday, April 17, also at Hillwood Country Club.
Since being designated the official charity of the Iroquois Steeplechase in 1981, Children’s Hospital has received nearly $10 million from the event proceeds.
For more information on the event or to buy tickets, visit www.iroquoissteeplechase.org.