May 1, 2026 — Thomas Barrett has always shown an interest in helping others. While pursuing his undergraduate degree in engineering at the University of Florida, he witnessed firsthand his grandfather’s Parkinson’s disease progression and found out how little is understood about neurodegenerative diseases. So he joined a research lab working to better understand these diseases.

Now a fourth-year medical student at the UF College of Medicine, Barrett is applying his interest in the humanistic side of medicine not only in his studies but also to  his hobbies. He recently completed an 800-plus-mile cycling journey around the state of Florida, raising money for organizations that provide free and low-cost healthcare to uninsured and underinsured patients.

“I always wanted to bike from the west coast of Florida to the east coast of Florida,” Barrett said. “I have always found biking to be a great way to clear my mind when mentally exhausted.”

Looking for a way to improve the lives of his community members, Barrett decided to turn his hobby into a vehicle for raising money for two organizations close to his heart: the Orlando-based nonprofit Grace Medical Home, which offers care options for patients without insurance, and the UF Equal Access Clinic Network, a group of student-run health clinics in Alachua County that serve uninsured and underinsured community members.

“I have seen firsthand how far every dollar goes at both organizations and could not be happier to have had an opportunity to raise money for them,” he said.

Barrett’s March trip took seven days and 70 hours of biking to complete. His route took him from Steinhatchee, a small coastal village 70 miles west of Gainesville, all the way down to Key West.

Along the way, he found tranquility in the remote state parks he biked through in the first three days. He also made it to Flagler Beach just in time to watch the sunset, rode the A1A scenic highway between Melbourne and Miami and traveled into Miami at night to see the city’s bustling skyline. Heading into the Florida Keys, Barrett was flanked by crystal blue water.

“There were also wild chickens everywhere,” he said.

At the conclusion of his journey, Barrett traveled 831 miles. He posted a call for donations to both Grace Medical Home and Equal Access Clinic Network on his social media channels, with donations ranging from $1-$5 per mile for different portions of the trip. Barrett estimates he raised a few thousand dollars for both organizations combined and hopes the funds will help improve the resources and assistance available to the populations they serve.

Back on his feet, Barrett is preparing to graduate from medical school in a couple of weeks. This July, he will begin his family medicine residency at St. Mary’s Regional Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado.

“Volunteering at the Equal Access Clinic Network showed me I have a desire to see a wide range of primary care conditions, which was a huge deciding factor for me applying to family medicine and ultimately matching at St. Mary’s,” he said. “I saw the power of simple conversations with patients and how listening to their stories was often the best form of treatment.”