Lakewood Health System Launches ‘Walk with a Doc’ Program
Staples, MN — Lakewood Health System is encouraging area residents to take a step toward better health with Walk with a Doc, a health program that brings doctors and patients together to walk every Thursday at 5:15 p.m. at Lakewood’s Main Campus in Staples, starting Thursday, May 26th. (All participants should meet outside the main entrance prior to the start of the walk.)
Walk with a Doc is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation.
“This program has had tremendous participation and success in hundreds of cities around the world,” said Dr. Adrianne Moen, family medicine physician at Lakewood. “I’m very pleased to bring this exciting and simple program to Lakewood as it has shown such improved health results for countless people around the world.”
The Walk is open to the community. Participation is free and pre-registration is not required, but all participants will need to sign a waiver prior to walking. Walkers will enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with several different Lakewood providers who will provide support to participants and answer questions during the walk.
“Walk with a Doc is honored to team up with Lakewood Health System. By incorporating this program into the practice, Lakewood is demonstrating an exceptional level of care and commitment to their community,” said Dr. David Sabgir, founder of Walk with a Doc.
According to the American Heart Association, walking as little as 30 minutes a day can provide the following benefits:
· Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
· Help maintain a healthy body weight and lower the risk of obesity
· Enhance mental well-being
· Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
Lakewood joins a growing list of organizations and communities worldwide that have started local Walk with a Doc (WWAD) programs. WWAD was started by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, OH. He has walked with patients and community members nearly every weekend since 2005.
For more information about the Lakewood chapter of Walk with a Doc, visit https://walkwithadoc.org/join-a-walk/locations/staples-minnesota