Pictured, left to right: Robert Hayden, security manager at CCH; Brandon Bowman, FH security officer; Bill Silvia, parking enforcement CCH; Chris Kuenzel, security manager at FH; Corey Finnemore, FH security officer; Anthony (Tino) Gagliardi, FH security officer and Deana Kayajan, executive director of patient and family experience. Seated: Frank Riccio, team captain, executive director of security and property management.
Team CCHC Helps Drives Change
A top 10 finish at the 25th annual Seaside Le Mans capped a day of teamwork, friendly competition and plenty of adrenaline.
The engines were revving at Mashpee Commons as Team CCHC took to the track for the 2026 Seaside Le Mans, a day that offered a mix of friendly competition, teamwork and plenty of adrenaline.
Team captain Frank Riccio, executive director of security, emergency preparedness and property management at Cape Cod Healthcare, took on the role despite having never even watched a Seaside Le Mans race before.
Although team captains weren’t allowed to drive this year, Riccio helped the team of seven strategize its way from the bottom of the standings from previous years and into the top 10.
His favorite part of the day?
“Helping us bust into the top 10!”
Racing for a cause
DeWitt Davenport presents Cape Cod Healthcare with a $100,000 check, accepted by Chris Lawson, senior vice president and chief development officer.
The 25th annual Seaside Le Mans – The Race for the Cape Cod Community raised $300,000 on September 12 for five Cape Cod nonprofit organizations, including Cape Cod Healthcare. More than 90 drivers got behind the wheel of Formula One-style karts, racing around a quarter-mile outdoor track at Mashpee Commons.
Since the event began in 2001, more than $10 million has been donated to dozens of local charitable organizations, with all funds staying on Cape Cod. This year’s funds will help support comprehensive cancer care at Cape Cod Healthcare, including dedicated nutrition, pharmacy and social services that support patients throughout their cancer journey.
Behind the wheel
For Deana Kayajan, executive director of patient and family experience, the race was a return engagement. She competed in 2025 and had also driven years earlier when CCHC departments participated in a pre-race competition.
“I had an absolute blast driving,” she said of that first experience. “I couldn’t wait for the opportunity to do it again.”
Deana Kayajan is already looking forward to next year’s race.
This time, Kayajan knew what to expect and said the team had a solid plan heading into the race. Beating the previous year’s standing and breaking into the top 10 made the experience even better.
Once she got behind the wheel, however, her focus was squarely on the car ahead: “What’s it going to take to pass the car in front of me?”
Christopher Kuenzel, manager of security operations at Falmouth Hospital, came to the team with some helpful experience of his own.
“Growing up around go-karts, I figured I could help,” he said.
While Kuenzel said raising money for a great cause was his favorite part of participating, his competitive side quickly kicked in once he was on the track. His main thought behind the wheel: “How can I go faster?”
For Corey Finnemore, security officer at Falmouth Hospital, joining the team was also a chance to get to know his colleagues.
“I thought it would be fun and a great way to get to know other members from Cape Cod Healthcare,” he said.
Driving the karts turned out to be his favorite part, with each lap presenting a new challenge. Finnemore said he kept thinking about how he could “do better than the last lap” while passing as many competitors as possible.
William Silvia, parking enforcement at Cape Cod Hospital, embraced the chance to have a little fun while competing for a good cause.
“We are all just big kids,” said Silvia, and the opportunity to race a fast go-kart against other teams “sounded like a lot of fun — and it was.”
Silvia also appreciated the escape that came with being on the track, calling it a “great way to get the adrenaline pumping” and forget about everything else for a few minutes.
Ready to rev up again
This year’s Seaside Le Mans raised $300,000.
Joining Kayajan, Kuenzel, Finnemore and Silvia behind the wheel were Robert Hayden, security manager at Cape Cod Hospital; Brandon Bowman, Falmouth Hospital security officer; and Anthony “Tino” Gagliardi, Falmouth Hospital security officer.
With a top-10 finish under their belts, there’s no shortage of enthusiasm about returning.
Kayajan “can’t wait until next year,” while Kuenzel and Finnemore both said they would “absolutely” do it again. Riccio is already planning for 2027.
For Team CCHC, one thing is certain: They’re ready to rev up for a good cause again next year!
