Valparaiso, IN ––HealthLinc, a federally qualified health center with eleven locations across northern Indiana is encouraging Mishawaka residents to take a step toward better health with Walk with a Doc, a health program that brings doctors and patients together to walk. The walks take place every first and third Sunday from 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. starting April 18. Walkers meet in the Biergarten of Robert C. Beutter Riverfront Park in Mishawaka (120 Ironworks Avenue, Mishawaka, IN).
Participants can expect to be greeted with an introduction and information on a current health topic from a health provider before moving, at their own pace, to complete the 2.5-mile loop.
Walk with a Doc is an international non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation. Walk with a Doc promotes physical activity and stepping up awareness about healthy eating to help improve the heart health of the nation.
“This program has had tremendous participation and success in hundreds of cities around the world,” said Dr. Josh Majerus, Chiropractor, HealthLinc Mishawaka “I’m very pleased to bring this exciting and simple program to Mishawaka as it has shown such improved health results for countless people around the country.”
Walk with a Doc is open to the community. Participation is free and pre-registration is not required. Walkers will enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with Dr. Majerus and other healthcare professionals, who will provide support to participants and answer questions about exercise and nutrition during the walk.
“Walk with a Doc is honored to team up with HealthLinc. By incorporating this program into the practice, HealthLinc is demonstrating an exceptional level of care and commitment to their community,” said Dr. David Sabgir, founder of Walk with a Doc. “Adding ten minutes of walking to your daily routine and swapping out bad fats with good fats at mealtime are examples of small, easy changes that can make a big difference in the health of your heart.
Why walk?
“Increasing exercise, even moderately, may help reduce the risks of many diseases, including coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes,” said Dr. Majerus. Per the CDC, adding 10 minutes of physical activity a day, like from walking, is a small change that can make a big difference.1 We are excited to join Walk with a Doc and help our community more easily find opportunities for physical activity.”
The CDC estimates about 80 percent of premature cases of heart disease and stroke are preventable and encourages changes like stepping up physical activity or eating a heart-healthy diet. Further, the American Heart Association estimates that if Americans ate the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables every day, nearly 40,000 deaths would be prevented from cardiovascular diseases, stroke and diabetes each year. Avocados are a heart-healthy fruit. They provide naturally good fats, are low in saturated fat and are cholesterol-, sugar- and sodium-free.
Mishawaka joins a growing list of 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 every weekend since 2005.
Learn more about Walk with a Doc at www.walkwithadoc.org and LoveOneToday.com/walk
- Source: Centers for Disease Control
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HealthLinc Corporate Headquarters are located at 2401 Valley Drive, Valparaiso, IN. HealthLinc clinics span Northern Indiana and are in East Chicago, Knox, La Porte, Michigan City, Mishawaka, South Bend and Valparaiso.
About HealthLinc
HealthLinc, Inc. (healthlincchc.org) is a not-for-profit Federally Qualified Health Center that provides primary medical, dental, optometry, and behavioral health services to people of all ages regardless of a patient’s ability to pay. In 1996, HealthLinc began as Hilltop Neighborhood House, a neighborhood clinic and childcare center in Valparaiso, IN. Since then, HealthLinc has expanded to eleven clinics, two telehealth clinics, and one mobile medical/dental clinic. HealthLinc accepts Medicare, Medicaid, Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), most commercial insurance plans, and provides care for uninsured patients. Services will be provided on a sliding fee scale based on household size and income, regardless of a patient’s insurance status.
About Walk with a Doc: WWAD is a non-profit organization that inspires communities through movement and conversation. By focusing on sustainability and simplicity, Walk with a Doc can easily be implemented by doctors across the country and around the world. Walk with a Doc has more than 520 chapters worldwide with thousands committing to a healthy lifestyle. To learn more, visit www.walkwithadoc.org or follow WWAD on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.