Lisa Hartmayer, BS, RN of the University of California-San Francisco Medical Center carried the Olympic torch in San Francisco on April 9 after winning an essay contest. Her 200-word essay on sustainability was one of 40 selected from among 500 entrants. Read Lisa’s comments on her entry and her commitment to sustainability:

I wrote about helping initiate the Green Group (UCSF's interdisciplinary team to make the hospital more environmentally friendly) and organizing the Focus the Nation Conference at UCSF.  I wrote that I feel nourished by my community and that I am passionate about making health and health care more sustainable.  I feel very strongly about pushing for a paradigm shift about the way we view our environment and health in our society.

I know there are many layers to the issues around the Olympics and the Torch.  I have seen some of the protests in other cities surrounding the Torch and China's involvement in Tibet and Dar fur. Historically, politics, wars and human rights issues have overlapped Olympic events. I have also heard about the horrific environmental difficulties in preparing for Beijing to host the Olympics.  I feel that it is very difficult to extrapolate these concerns as distinct issues.  I feel that everything is interconnected and our global problems belong to all of mankind.  Our world, in a way, is very small.  My everyday choices effect people and families in places I have never heard of around the world.  If you know me, you know that I feel very strongly about and am an advocate of human rights, diversity and respect. I also feel very strongly about environmental issues.  These challenges go hand in hand. Although, I do know that if we don't work towards creating, protecting, and maintaining a healthy environment that human health will not be possible.

When I was a little, I used to figure skate at the Olympic Training Facility in Lake Placid, New York.  I remember working on jumps and spins in the 1932 and 1980 rinks.  There was nothing more inspiring than skate in those amazing spaces imagining the history of figure skating, ice hockey and speed skating.  To me, I hold participating in the Olympics as one of the highest levels of athleticism and sportsmanship one could attain.  It is an arena where borders are transcended and language barriers are broken.  It is an open playing field where politics should not enter and sport is law.  The challenge is not only physical, but mental; and there will be both winners and losers.

However, all those that compete are honorable.

I will run the Torch with the spirit of the Olympics in my heart.

Before this turns into something that no one reads because it's too long, I just want to say I welcome your thoughts and opinions about the Olympics in Beijing and what the Torch running means to you. I feel very strongly in support of the protestors that will line the streets on Wednesday.  I feel that it is their right to speak their minds and it wouldn't be right if there weren't people there to point out ethical and environmental issues surrounding the Olympics. Obviously I've been dealing with some heavy stuff this last week, and the actual experience of carrying the Torch will be a once in a lifetime experience nonetheless.  I am turning to you, my friends, to share your thoughts and feeling and ideas for a healthier planet.

I know there are a lot of mixed feelings about the event, but I will carry the Torch with the spirit of global community, environmental sustainability, peace and hope.

Thank you,

Lisa