Dr. Rebecca Eleck Bruce, Wheeler's primary care medical director, is an avid swimmer and runner, routinely hitting the lakes, trails, and roads around Connecticut. This June, though, she's taking on the challenge of a lifetime, tackling the Tahoe 200, an incredible journey of more than 100 hours and 200 miles around the largest alpine lake in North America, Lake Tahoe.
Eleck has been training for more than a year, and is dedicating her race to both her late father, who was always by her side on countless outdoor adventures, as well as Wheeler's Basic Needs Fund, which she sees in action every day in her work.
She has set a goal of raising $5,000 for the fund, now through June 16, 2026.
"I'm using my Tahoe 200 journey to raise awareness about the challenges that our neighbors face in our communities," she says. "This is a run that my father would have loved to see me take on, especially in support of helping our patients to care for themselves and their families."
Dr. Eleck is a board-certified family physician who oversees the delivery of primary care services for adults, children, and families through Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Centers in Bristol, Hartford, New Britain, Plainville, and Waterbury. She provides clinical oversight and management of clinical performance outcomes and direct clinical supervision to providers and provides direct primary medical care to patients across the lifespan. Dr. Eleck joined Wheeler in 2016 and currently sees primary care patients three days a week at Wheeler’s Family Health & Wellness Center in Plainville, CT. She has special interests in mental health, addiction, gender responsive care, and global health.
She has participated in several previous endurance runs, including the Anchor Down Ultra 24 hour, Forgotten Forest 9 hour Ultra, Forbidden Forest 30 hour, Daytona 50K Ultra, and CT Trailmixer Spring Fling 600 and Fall Fling 400.
The Basic Needs Fund, which has helped more than 10,000 patients since being created in 2018, supports Wheeler's health center patients with emergency or basic needs help that they may not have, but which are impeding their wellness. It's provided personal care items, winter clothes, and so much more.
You can cheer on Dr. Eleck, and support our mission and everyone who depends on the Basic Needs Fund, by making a donation at the link below. And watch this space for updates!