UnityPoint Health – Sioux City Launches “Walk With a Doc” Program
DJ Todt, MD
UnityPoint Health – Sioux City is encouraging Siouxland 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 third Saturday of every month at 9 a.m. at Chris Larsen Park. 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,” says DJ Todt, MD, a provider at UnityPoint Clinic Family Medicine – Sunnybrook and the local physician leader for this program. “I’m very pleased to bring this exciting and simple program to our community as it has shown improved health results for countless people around the world.”
Walk with a Doc is open to the community. Participation is free and pre-registration is encouraged but not required. The event starts with a brief educational health talk. Then walkers will enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with Dr. Todt and other healthcare professionals, who will provide support to participants and answer questions during the walk.
“Walk with a Doc is honored to team up with UnityPoint Health – Sioux City,” says David Sabgir, MD, founder of Walk with a Doc. “By incorporating this program, UnityPoint Health is demonstrating an exceptional level of care and commitment to their community.”
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
“There’s no question that increasing exercise, even moderately, reduces the risks of many diseases, including coronary heart disease, breast and colon cancer and Type 2 diabetes,” says Dr. Todt. “Research has even shown that you could gain two hours of life for each hour that you exercise regularly.”
Sioux City 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 nearly every weekend since 2005.
Learn more about UnityPoint Health – Sioux City’s Walk with a Doc program here: https://walkwithadoc.org/join-a-walk/locations/sioux-city-ia/.