Zone 16
No. 14 Vol. 7
New View Media Group • 1-800-691-7549
June 27, 2018
Lincoln Park Embraces “Walk With A Doc” Program
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By Steve Sears n June 3, 2107 more than 100 people joined Butler physician Dr. Francis Kielar as the Lincoln Park Health Department hosted its first “Walk with a Doc’ event at the historic Morris Canal. The event kicked off the opening of the canal trail, and commemorated National Trail Day. In addition, there was another focus that day: improving one’s health. The next such event is slated for Wednesday, June 27, at 10 a.m. at Lynn Park. This event is free and will have free health information and giveaways. Rain date is Wednesday July 11. Prior to the June 3 walk, Kielar discussed Diabetes. On the 27, Dr. Andrew Gilmartin, a Vanguard Medical in Lincoln Park physician will be strolling along with attendees, and the topic of the morning will be Sleeping
Through the Night, an important issue for senior citizens. Kathleen Skrobala, health officer and Public Health nurse of Lincoln Park Health Department, details a bit of the “Walk With a Doc” history. “The “Walk with a Doc” program is a national program, originally started in 2005 by a cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio (https://walkwithadoc. org). In our area, Chilton Medical Center started a chapter in 2017, and they have monthly walks at Willowbrook Mall.” For now, the free monthly walks at Willowbrook Mall and one outdoor walk per year will be standard. Per Skrobala, arrangements for the physicians are made through Atlantic Health System’s Chilton Medical Center, and a variety of doctors and different health topics are discussed during each walk. “The purpose of “Walk with a Doc” is two-fold: to motivate people to be active, even if it is only going for a walk, and to have the opportunity to hear important health information about a specific topic,” she says. “The monthly site is at Willowbrook Mall, but Chilton likes to have at least one walk outdoors during the year, and they have partnered with Lincoln Park to provide that.” Michele McGrogan, System Program Manager for New Vitality for Atlantic Health System’s Chilton Medical Center, says the Community Health Department at Chilton sought to provide a “new and exciting program to their community members. After some research, the team decided to move forward with the Walk with a Doc program. The Chilton Medical Center Foundation applied for and received a grant to fund the program.” McGrogan and her team encourage all community members to participate in the program, and many in Essex, Morris, and Passaic Counties have. “The Walk with a Doc program gets
Dr. Francis Kielar, speaks at the 6/3/17 Walk with a Doc event about a health topic, prior to the walk.
people moving, increases their knowledge on various health topics and gives the members the opportunity to meet new people,” she attests. Other topics to be discussed on upcoming walks are Guidelines for Physical Activity + Benefits, How Much Physical Activity Do You Need?, Managing Lower Back Pain, Preventative Care, Prediabetes, Stress and Health, Adult Vaccinations, Lyme Disease, Adult Vaccinations, Incontinence for Men continued on page 4