Renown hosts Walk with a Doc program
RENO, Nev. (MyNews4.com & KRNV) — Renown Regional Medical Center's Walk with a Doc program is a way to get people out of the house and walk with the community every Wednesday. Doctors tag along and answer health questions that may be of concern to the participant.
"I think it's important to know that you don't have to be a patient of a Renown doc to come here and either talk to a doc while walking or just go for a walk. It's open to everybody in the community," said Dr. Howard Chen, the Medical Director for Health and Wellness at Renown.
This program started in November, and it's free to the public. "Since the second week I saw it in the newspaper, our whole family said we have got to do this, how fun would this be, and it has been a lot of fun," said Christine Stollings, a participant of the program.
There's no set pace, either. People come and walk at their own speed.
"I like to be able to tell my patients, you know, here's your medication to make your diabetes better, but also you really need to exercise, come on this day and walk with us," said Jane Konakis, a Family Physician a Renown.
The walks normally take place at Virginia Lake, but the group will be moving their walks to Aces Ballpark. This is to make sure they don't have to switch locations every time the weather isn't nice; they will have an indoor and outdoor facility.
"My hope would be that different physicians take it up in different parts of the community so that we can do it in a bunch of different places," said Konakis.
Walk with a Doc encourages healthy physical activity for all ages, and aims to reverse a sedentary lifestyle. "Don't wait for a friend. Come out here and make friends, it's one hour every Wednesday, it is so much fun," said Stollings.
For now, walks happen every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. at Virginia Lake Park on 1980 Lakeside Dr. in Reno. Anyone taking part should meet at the north end of the Virginia Lake parking lot.
You can call program coordinator Liz Koester for more information at 775-982-8259.
