Becker’s Healthcare Podcast Running for Resilience: Lou Fragoso’s Mission to Honor Children's Strength
Jul 13, 2025
Lou Fragoso, the President and CEO of Manning Family Children’s in New Orleans, shares his inspiring mission of running the Leadville Trail 100 ultramarathon to honor the resilience of young patients. Each mile symbolizes a child’s battle against serious illness, showcasing their remarkable strength. Throughout the conversation, Lou highlights the powerful connections between endurance running and the courage displayed by these children. His journey emphasizes lessons of perseverance, community support, and the indomitable spirit that drives both runners and young fighters alike.
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Mile Dedication Honors Patients
- Lou Fragoso dedicates each mile of the Leadville 100 ultramarathon to a patient at Manning Family Children’s.
- He uses their stories of resilience to inspire himself never to give up during the grueling race.
Inspiring Patient Stories
- Lou shares stories of patients showing extraordinary strength despite severe challenges.
- For example, Brian overcame spina bifida surgeries to become an athlete and plans to pace Lou in the race's last mile.
Race Builds Mental Resilience
- Running an ultramarathon trains mental resilience by focusing only on the next step.
- This mirrors the focus and perseverance patients at Manning Family Children’s show facing their health battles.