MemorialCare Providers and Family Members Go the Distance, Conquering 200 Miles at the Ragnar SoCal Relay
by: Madeline Fredrickson
Published: July 8, 2025
The MemorialCare Ragnar Relay team, comprised of primary care and specialy care physicians teamed up to run 200 miles in honor of teamwork and combat physician burnout.
ORANGE COUNTY...Overcoming fog, hills, sleep deprivation, and the occasional tram and train delay, MemorialCare’s Ragnar relay team united to conquer the Ragnar SoCal Relay, a 191.3-mile overnight challenge stretching from San Diego to Huntington Beach. Led by Arnold Cuenca, D.O., family medicine physician, MemorialCare Medical Group – Mission Viejo, and Tracy Kasten, RN, nursing supervisor, MemorialCare Medical Group – San Juan Capistrano, the team consisted of 12 runners, each determined to take on this physically and mentally demanding event.
The Ragnar relay series, which has been a staple in Southern California since 2010, brings together teams of six to 12 runners, with each runner assigned several legs of the race. It’s about much more than running; it's a journey of teamwork, camaraderie, and pushing each person to their limits.
The MemorialCare team was split between two vans and supported each other not just on the track, but between each runner’s legs. The team was a mix of MemorialCare employees and family members, all focused on completing the race, not necessarily racing to finish first, but to finish together.
“The Ragnar relay isn’t just about personal performance—it’s about being part of a team,” said Dr. Arnold Cuenca, D.O., family medicine physician, MemorialCare Medical Group – Mission Viejo. “It’s a chance to focus on wellness and to challenge yourself with others. This event was particularly special because it allowed MemorialCare team members, from all over the organization, to bond over a shared challenge.”
The road to Ragnar wasn’t without its hurdles. The team worked together, supporting one another through everything from training injuries to unexpected dropouts, but the logistics—and the support— were key to the team’s success. As Dr. Cuenca explained, the team’s success was a product of their unity and adaptability.
“All of us running together, especially with our final runner, Dr. Tara Scott, family medicine, MemorialCare Medical Group – Long Beach (Los Altos), who ran the most miles of anyone on our team, was emotional,” Dr. Cuenca recalled. “Crossing the finish line after over 191 miles was a feeling of pure joy and accomplishment. It’s a challenge not just physically but emotionally, and when we did it together, it made it even more meaningful.”
One of the most personal moments for Dr. Cuenca was having his daughter, Sevilla Cuenca, join the team. Sevilla, who has been running with a youth club, participated in the event and was one of the standout performers, running 17.4 miles and was the fastest runner on the team.
“The Ragnar relay isn’t just about crossing the finish line; it’s about the journey and the connections we made along the way,” Tracy Kasten, RN, nursing supervisor, MemorialCare Medical Group – San Juan Capistrano said. “Each runner brought their own unique energy to the team, and we truly bonded through shared challenges and moments of triumph. It was inspiring to see how everyone supported one another.”
Events like the Ragnar relay align with Dr. Cuenca’s professional values, particularly in relation to combating burnout in healthcare. Studies show that nearly one in three healthcare workers in the U.S. report experiencing burnout, with physicians being at particularly high risk. Participating in events like Ragnar helps to refocus on wellness and opens the door for discussions about the challenges that healthcare workers face amongst physicians and staff.
“Burnout is a real issue in healthcare, and participating in an event like this reminds us to focus on our well-being,” he said. “It’s not just about being a doctor or a nurse—it’s about supporting each other, both at work and outside of it. Achieving work-life balance is a mental, physical, and emotional journey—and we’re all on it together.”
Dr. Dorfman (left), Plastic Surgery and Oral Maxillofacial Surgery, Cherese Mari Laulhere Children’s Village – Miller Children’s & Women’s Hospital Long Beach, and Dr. La Duca (right), Family and Lifestyle Medicine, former Associate Program Director, MemorialCare Family Medicine Residency – Long Beach, pass the slap bracelet under the night sky, illuminated by headlamps in Doheny State Beach.
Dr. Cuenca, Family and Sports Medicine, MemorialCare Medical Group – Mission Viejo, and his daughter, Sevilla Cuenca, pose together at the Ragnar SoCal Relay finish line in Huntington Beach, sharing a proud moment.
The MemorialCare Ragnar team lights up the night in front of Dana Hills High School with colorful gear and big smiles, pushing through the chilly overnight hours.
Teammates cheer on Priskila Setiawati, LVN, MemorialCare Medical Group – Costa Mesa, during her leg in Irvine.
Dr. Cuenca, Family and Sports Medicine, MemorialCare Medical Group – Mission Viejo, smiles mid-stride in Ocean Beach.
Photos:MemorialCare