Velocity Rider: Inna Kleyman

Inna Kleyman, MD, assistant professor of neurology, is one of the six founding members of Brain Power, the Department of Neurology’s team for Velocity: Columbia's Ride to End Cancer.

“Our team is still growing. Our chairman, Dr. Richard Mayeux, is riding and rallying us together,” Dr. Kleyman says.

Brain Power is made up of neurologists from several specialties including neuro-oncology and neurocritical care.

“Primarily our neuro-oncologists see patients with cancer, but because chemotherapy and cancer have neurological side effects, all neurologists in our department help take care of cancer patients in some way,” says Dr. Kleyman.

“It’s also personally important for me to participate because my grandfather died from a brain tumor and I want to help in the effort to find better treatments for neurological cancers.”

Dr. Kleyman is an active cyclist and rides frequently up to Bear Mountain and other routes just outside New York City. She’s signed up for the 62.5-mile route with the rest of her team.

“I’ve never done a charity ride, so I’m looking forward to doing this,” she says. “I didn’t realize until we organized our team that we have several cyclists in our department, and I’m excited to share this experience with them.”

Fundraising coaches from Velocity have already reached out to help Dr. Kleyman raise money for the HICCC. “I plan on reaching out to my old friends from medical school and residency for support, as well as people within our own department,” she says.

On the day of the ride, Dr. Kleyman is looking forward to riding with all Velocity cyclists when the four routes converge into one. “It’ll be amazing to see one massive crowd at the end,” she says. “I just hope our team looks good in spandex.”