More than 50 people participated in the fourth installment of the Walk with a Doc program earlier this week in Greater Sudbury. “I’m just meeting this wonderful group of people who keep coming and joining me every month to come out for a walk,” said family physician Dr. Reena Dhatt, of the Tuesday evening event. The local chapter is part of the global health promotion movement that started in the United States in 2005. It allows physicians to be health allies outside of their office or clinic. The program encourages physical activity, getting outdoors and connecting with others. “The purpose of it is to spend an hour together really to reinforce a lot of health messages that I think are foundational,” Dhatt said. “Some of it is just getting to know each other a little bit better on a walk.” The Sudbury version of the program started last summer with NEOMO Health Group, where Dhatt’s medical practice is. Many of her patients were invited, although she said everyone is welcome. The group meets monthly at the outdoor patio at Science North before walking 45 minutes along the Ramsey Lake Boardwalk. Participants start with a brief warm-up led by an instructor before Dhatt and other health experts provide a short health talk on a specific topic. “It’s so good for everybody. She’s got so much knowledge that she wants to share,” participant Maureen Barnes said of Dhatt. Dhatt, who was standing beside Barnes, told her she was “a great patient (who) showcases how amazing and glorious aging is.” The focus of Tuesday’s walk was social connection, which Barnes said is exactly why she participates. “To be social. That’s a big thing as you get older, is to be out and be social,” she said. Dhatt said people tend to be less active in the winter months because of the weather. That’s why the next Walk with a Doc event is planned for the indoor track at the YMCA in Sudbury on Dec. 15.
