Dr. Alexis Puhan, M.D., of Switzerland, participated July 23 in the 20 Bridge Manhattan Swim, sponsored by New York Open Water. The open-water swim encompassed 28.5 nautical miles in length from Pier 25 at Hudson River Park and wrapped up near Pier A at Battery Park. The swim took eight hours to complete – two hours faster than originally expected.

The purpose of Dr. Puhan’s swim was to create awareness of the importance of swim instruction and water safety to prevent drowning. He teamed up with the Swim Strong Foundation and has thus far helped raise $12,500 for the organization’s scholarship program to provide free swim lessons to 40 at-risk children this summer.

The nonprofit Swim Strong was founded by Shawn Slevin, the former Catholic Youth Organization swim coach at St. Sebastian, Woodside. “Swim Strong Foundation, our board and families are so grateful for the generosity, interest and passion of Alexis Puhan, M.D. of Zurich, Switzerland, to come to NYC and undertake this challenge in order to raise funds for our scholarship program,” Slevin said.

Donations are still being accepted at www.SwimStrongFoundation.org/donate. Type “Dr. Alexis Puhan” in the note section.