On Saturday, Our Lady of the Angels Hospital will host Washington Parish’s first “Walk with a Doc” walking program at 10 a.m. in Goodyear Park, in conjunction with the weekly Bogalusa Farmer’s Market. Walkers will join Our Lady of the Angels doctors and team members for a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with a purpose during this 12-week event.

Our Lady of the Angels Walk with a Doc will be held every Saturday, from Sept. 23 through Dec. 9, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m., at Goodyear Park, located next to the YMCA on Avenue B in Bogalusa. Exercise with friends and get free body composition screenings on weeks 1, 6 and 12. Attend 10 out of the 12 weeks and receive a free insulated bag. All walkers will be entered into a drawing for prizes. Drawings will be held at the conclusion of the walk on Dec. 9. Must be present to win.

Walk with a Doc is a national non-profit 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. “This program has had tremendous participation and success in many other cities around the country,” said Dr. Owen Grove. “I’m very pleased to be a part of this exciting and simple program that shows such improved health results for so many people.”

Our Lady of the Angels doctors encourage anyone in the community to join the walk. This is a free program and pre-registration is not required. Future walks will be announced via Our Lady of the Angels website, oloah.org, and the Walk with a Doc website, www.walkwithadoc.org.

“Walk with a Doc is honored to team up with Our Lady of the Angels Hospital. By incorporating Walk with a Doc, Our Lady of the Angels Hospital is demonstrating an exceptional level of caring and commitment to their community”, said Dr. David Sabgir, founder of Walk with a Doc.

Why walk? “There’s no question that increasing exercise, even moderately, reduces the risks or many diseases, including coronary heart disease, breast and colon cancer and Type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Grove said. “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 these benefits, as well:

• 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.

Bogalusa joins a growing list of communities nationwide that have created local Walk with a Doc programs. Walk with a Doc was created by Dr. David Sabgir, a cardiologist who practices at Mount Carmel Health Systems in Columbus, Ohio, and he has been walking every weekend since 2005. The expansion and support of the program is thanks to Anthem Blue Cross/Blue Shield.