This led me (a self-admitted continuing education addict) to attend the American College of Lifestyle Medicine annual meeting in Dallas last fall. The College was founded in 2003 by a group of physicians who concentrated their efforts on six pillars of patient health: healthy eating, physical activity, sleep, stress management, social connection, and avoiding risky substances.
As luck would have it, I met Dr. David Sabgir, who started Walk with a Doc (WWAD) in 2005, and he encouraged me to start a program in Eugene. WWAD satisfies two of the pillars: exercise and social connection.
Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist in Columbus, OH, was frustrated with his inability to affect behavior change in the clinical setting, so he invited his patients to go for a walk with him in a local park on a spring Saturday morning. To his surprise, many patients and community members showed up, energized and ready to move.
He has now walked with patients and community members nearly every weekend since. WWAD is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation with walking groups led by healthcare providers.
WWAD was started to “encourage physical activity and reduce the effects of a sedentary lifestyle.” While that is still 100% true, we have found that the simple act of taking a walk together has the power to transform lives and communities.
There is no question that increasing exercise, even moderately, reduces the risk of many diseases, including coronary heart disease, breast and colon cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Since 2005, WWAD has received exceedingly positive feedback from its participants.
The organization has substantially grown from its initial base in Columbus, Ohio, to become an established practice in 48 states across the US and 40 countries worldwide, hosting over 8,000 walks annually. Community feedback has highlighted that 90% of participants reported feeling more educated since starting WWAD, 71% have increased their weekly level of physical activity, and 93% of participants feel more inspired to prioritize healthier lifestyle habits.
It doesn’t matter if you can only walk 100 feet or the whole hour; all are welcome and encouraged to join a group effort to improve health. People come for different reasons, but the fresh air and connection with others are hard to beat.
Dr. Lexi Mitchell Sanchez, DO, attended the first walk last month and sees a real advantage for patients. “I’m thrilled to see Dr. Welch launching a chapter in Eugene. It’s so important that we stay connected to our community and encourage patients to simply step outside and WALK. Spending time outdoors supports both mental and physical health, and I hope patients discover that wellness can be as simple as moving their bodies and connecting with others.”
The group meets at 9 AM on the first Saturday of each month at the Greenway Bridge at Valley River Mall, just down from the movie theaters and behind the DMV. I’m hopeful that other physicians will join in the fun. Wouldn’t it be great if every Saturday morning of the month a physician were hosting a walk? Eugene now joins a growing list of communities worldwide that have started local Walk with a Doc programs.
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