City of Columbus

Walk With A Doc Announces Dates for 2014 Walks -- 3.28.2014

COLUMBUS PUBLIC HEALTH 
FOR FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014

Contact:          Jose Rodriguez           (614) 645-6928           [email protected]
                      Bailey Cultice             (614) 546-3426           [email protected]
                      Bob Mackle                (614) 293-5646           [email protected] 

Walk With A Doc Announces Dates for 2014 Walks

Columbus, Ohio – Columbus Public Health, Walk With a Doc and Mount Carmel Health System have teamed up with The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center to expand the Walk With A Doc: Columbus Neighborhood Walking Clubs into 2014. 

“We are very excited to be expanding this partnership to give residents more opportunities to live active, fit lives,” said Columbus Public Health Commissioner Dr. Teresa Long. “This is one more innovative way that we can work together to combat a growing obesity epidemic that threatens a whole new generation of young people.” 
 
Each hour-long Walk With a Doc walk, which will be led by a Mount Carmel or OSU physician, will begin with a brief talk on a current health topic. The doctor will then lead a walk for exercise and additional discussion. Walks will be held bi-weekly on Saturday mornings at parks on the North, South, East and West sides of Columbus. The goal is to bring together residents and community partners to provide walking opportunities in areas that have been identified by the city as “health vulnerable.” OSU joins Mount Carmel in offering physicians for the walks following the affiliation agreement signed by the two organizations in 2013.

Walkers will also have the opportunity to visit the Mount Carmel Community Outreach Mobile Medical Coach, which provides free basic medical care to the under and uninsured. The Mobile Medical Coach will be scheduled once at each location to help connect patients to long-term care.

Additional support for this initiative is being provided by the Columbus Medical Association Foundation, Columbus Recreation and Parks Department, Columbus Department of Public Safety, Institute for Active Living and the YMCA of Central Ohio.  

“We are extremely pleased with the results of the pilot program, and we’re looking forward to expanding in the coming year,” said Dr. David Sabgir, founder of Walk With A Doc. “The support we have received from this partnership has been invaluable as we continue to get neighborhoods moving and provide easier access to a physician for this vulnerable population.” 

Walk With a Doc (WWAD) is a national organization created in 2005 by Dr. David Sabgir, a board-certified cardiologist who practices with Mount Carmel Clinical Cardiovascular Specialists. The organization – which is devoted to encouraging healthy physical activity – now successfully operates more than 100 walks throughout the country. 

Walks will be held at Columbus Recreation and Parks facilities at Woodward Park, Indian Mound Park, Big Walnut Park and Dodge Recreation Center. For more information on Walk With a Doc or specific dates for each site, please visit publichealth.columbus.gov or www.walkwithadoc.org. 

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