SUBMITTED PHOTO
Cecilia Strauch
This week, staff writer Clare Collins talks with Cecilia Strauch about the upcoming Walk with a Future Doc event, hosted by Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine .
Residence: Factoryville
Occupation: Medical student at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine
Title: Co-president of GCSOM’s Family Medicine Interest Group, which organized the event
Q: Where did the idea for Walk with a Future Doc come from?
A: Walk with a Doc is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is 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. Scranton joins a growing list of communities nationwide that have started local Walk with a Doc programs. WWAD was created by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist with Mount Carmel Health Systems in Columbus, Ohio. He has walked with patients and community members every weekend since 2005.
Q: How long has this been a tradition?
A: Walk with a Future Doc is new to this area. It was launched in April.
Q: Describe the route for the monthly walk and who it is open to.
A: The walk is open to the community. The route is the Lackawanna River Heritage Trail or Backcourt Hoops. Walkers decide how far they wish to go.
Q: Why is it so important for people to get outside and walk?
A: “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,” said Jennifer Joyce, M.D., professor of family medicine at GCSOM. “Research has even shown that you could gain two hours of life for each hour that you exercise regularly.” According to the American Heart Association, walking as little as 30 minutes a day can provide the following health benefits: improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels, help maintain a healthy body weight and lower the risk of obesity, enhance mental well-being, and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
Q: What is unique about this event?
A: Walkers will enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with medical students and health care professionals from GCSOM and the Wright Center for Community Health, who will provide support to participants and answer questions during the walk.
If you go
- What: Walk with a Future Doc
- When: Every fourth Saturday of the month at 9 a.m. beginning July 27
- Where: Lackawanna River Heritage Trail, West Olive Street, Scranton, weather permitting, or Backcourt Hoops, 5 W. Olive Plaza, Scranton
- Details: Participation is free and advance registration is not required. For more information, visit the Walk with a Doc Facebook page or call 570-604-1443.
Patrice Wilding is a 13-year employee of the Lifestyles Dept. at The Times-Tribune, where she worked her way up from a clerk to a web video producer to a full-time reporter, writer and copy editor. An Olyphant native, she graduated from Mid Valley Secondary Center and earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with concentration in media arts, political science and communications from Wesley College, Dover, Delaware. She lives in Clarks Summit with her husband, Justin, and their son, Johnny. Contact: pwilding@timesshamrock.com; 570-348-9100 x5369; @pwildingTT
