About us
Started by med students. Powered by community.
Our story
How SunSmart began.
Monika Freiser and Joseph Kaplan met at the University of Miami through the Golden Key International Honor Society. Monika started the race in February 2010 as the Valentine's Day 5K, raising money for Miami's Public Access Defibrillation program in honor of her late father. Joe joined as co-director that year.
While planning the second race, they learned that a 5K for UM's Melanoma Program, started by medical student Caroline Caperton, had been cancelled. They joined forces, and the race became a partnership between undergraduates, medical students and the Dermatology Department, with Shailee Patel leading its growth. Free skin cancer screenings on site have caught skin cancer at the event more than once.
After a pause during COVID-19, the race came back in 2023. Today SunSmart 5K is a nonprofit event of the University of Miami, a 501(c)(3), run by UM medical students, residents and attending physicians, with proceeds going to skin cancer research at the Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery and Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Monika Freiser, MDCo-founder
Joseph Kaplan, MDCo-founder
Student-run
Planned and staffed by University of Miami medical students.
Research-funding
Proceeds support skin cancer research at UM.
Prevention-first
Free screenings and sun-safety education for every participant.
The SunSmart vision
We're on a mission to save lives. That's SPF.
S
Screenings
Free skin cancer screenings for our community, performed by UM dermatologists.
P
Protection
Educating our community about proper sun protection and sunscreen use.
F
Funds
Raising money for groundbreaking skin cancer research at the University of Miami.
- #1
- Most common cancer in the U.S., more than all other cancers combined
- 2+
- People in the U.S. die of skin cancer every hour
- 99%
- Survival rate when skin cancer is detected early
Milestones
Over a decade of sunrise starts.
2010
The first race
Monika Freiser starts the Valentine's Day 5K, with Joseph Kaplan as co-director.
2011
Joining forces
The race teams up with a 5K for UM's Melanoma Program.
2020
A pause
COVID-19 puts race day on hold for a few years.
2023
Back on the course
SunSmart 5K returns to Key Biscayne.
2027
Your turn
Join us on February 6 for another sunrise at Bill Baggs.
Beneficiaries
Where the proceeds go.
Skin cancer research scholarships
Funding the next generation of skin cancer researchers at UM
Dr. Phillip Frost Department of Dermatology & Cutaneous Surgery
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Skin cancer research at UM Health
The team
Meet the organizers.
Keyvan Nouri, MD
Faculty Sponsor
Sophie Bilik
2026 Co-Director
Yasmine Mohseni
2026 Co-Director
Rachel Cohen
2026 Assistant Director
Sarah Kim
2026 Assistant Director
Lace up. Lather up. Let's go.
Join us on Saturday, February 6, 2027 at Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park.