by Rachel Hunter
The first Walk With a Doc in Gouverneur in 2024 was postponed due to inclement winter weather last Saturday.
Faithful readers of the Gouverneur Tribune Press will recall that the Walk With A Doc sessions in Gouverneur is made possible thanks to the Community Health Center of the North Country, St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, and a Bridge To Wellness: St. Lawrence County Health Improvement Plan. The Gouverneur Tribune Press will announce a date once the event is rescheduled. The Community Health Center of the North Country said it would be rescheduled within the next 30 days.
Walk With a Doc is a local chapter of an international 501(c)3 that is inspiring communities through movement and conversation. With an aim to make hope and health accessible to everyone around the world, the doctor-led walking groups are safe, fun and a free place to get in some steps, learn about health, and meet new friends.
Walk With A Doc was started in 2005 by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio. Frustrated with his inability to affect behavior change in the clinical setting, Dr. Sabgir invited his patients to go for a walk with him in a local park on a spring Saturday morning. To his surprise, over 100 people showed up, energized and ready to move.
Since that first event in 2005, Walk with a Doc has grown as a grassroots effort with a model based on sustainability and simplicity. A doctor gives a brief presentation on a health topic and then leads participants on a walk at their own pace. In 2009, Walk With A Doc became an official 501(c)(3) and added an Executive Director with a focus on building a program that could easily be implemented by interested doctors in other cities around the country. As a result of these efforts, the reach of Walk with a Doc now extends all around the globe with over 500 chapters worldwide, including Walk with a FUTURE Doc chapters led by medical students.
Walking was recognized by the Surgeon General of the United States of America as one of the single most important things we can do for our health. Now, as we usher in 2023, is the time to join the movement in making health and happiness accessible for all.
Walk With A Doc has released a list of 100 reasons why walking is important, and it can be viewed online at walkwithadoc.org. Did you know that walking is one of the best things you can do for your health? Many diseases, conditions, and ailments can be prevented or even healed by participating in regular physical activity. Fortunately, even moderate-intensity aerobic activity such as walking can provide these health benefits.
All North Country residents are encouraged to keep exercising throughout the winter months. The Gouverneur Central School District has announced that they have once again opened both the elementary and middle schools to hall walking during the evening hours. The Gouverneur Middle School is open for hall walking on Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. and the Gouverneur Elementary School is open for walking on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please call or stop by either building to fill out an application to participate.
There is much anticipation for the first Walk With a Doc in Gouverneur in 2024. See upcoming editions of the Gouverneur Tribune Press for more details.