Learn about health by walking with doctors

There’s a new way to ask a doctor a few questions, and it’s as easy as a walk in the park.

Doctors with CoxHealth’s Family Medical Care Center (FMCC) have launched a local chapter of Walk With A Doc, a program that gives members of the public a chance to go for a walk with local physicians, and learn about various health topics – all for free.

“We felt this was a valuable opportunity to connect with members in our community, and help them learn more about good health,” says Dr. Katie Davenport-Karbonic, a physician with FMCC. “Walk With A Doc has helped provide a format, and tremendously supportive and inspiring global community, in which strides can be made towards individual and community wellness.”

Registration is not required for the walks, which are scheduled for the first Saturday of each month at 9 a.m., and held at the Springfield Botanical Gardens. Participants meet on the roof of the Botanical Center, where a general health topic is presented by a physician. Later, there’s a group walk around the park, blood pressure checks and refreshments. Additionally, participants receive free perks including a pedometer, T-shirt and water bottle.

Walk With A Doc is a national non-profit organization that exists to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages and reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle in order to improve the health and well-being of the country.

“Our hope is to meet the needs of our participants and the community with evidence-based guidelines when applicable, and create an environment for participants to share their own information within the group,” says Davenport-Kabonic. “We can all learn something from each other.”