New program kicks off event at Cascades Park
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Capital Health Plan (CHP), the Big Bend's locally trusted health maintenance organization (HMO), is encouraging local residents to take a step toward better health by joining us for Walk with a Doc, a health program that brings doctors and patients together to walk one Saturday a month. The first event will take place on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Cascades Park located at 1001 S. Gadsden Street from 9am to 10am
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 success in hundreds of cities around the world,” said Dr. Amy Neal, Associate Medical Director for Capital Health Plan. “We are very pleased to bring this program to our Tallahassee community as it has shown to help improve health for participants worldwide.”
The Walk is open to the community. Participation is free and pre-registration is not required. Walkers will enjoy a refreshing and rejuvenating walk with Dr. Amy Neal 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 Capital Health Plan at Cascades Park in Tallahassee. By incorporating this program into their plan, Capital Health Plan is demonstrating an exceptional level of care and commitment to their community,” said Dr. David Sabgir, founder of Walk with a Doc.
“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 Dr. Amy Neal, Associate Medical Director for Capital Health Plan. “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 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
Tallahassee 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.
Click here to learn more about Walk with a Doc.
About Capital Health Plan (CHP):
Capital Health Plan is committed to offering affordable, comprehensive health care to its members. In its 41st year, CHP has grown to serve over 135,000 members in the Florida Panhandle and has an extensive physician network that includes three exclusive CHP health centers providing preventive, primary, and specialty care services. Based in Tallahassee, CHP is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.capitalhealth.com.
About Walk with a Doc:
Walk with a Doc (WWAD) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation with physician-led walking groups. Walk with a Doc was started in 2005 by David Sabgir, MD, a board-certified cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio. To learn more, go to the Walk with a Doc website.