This weekend, Plant City residents will have the chance to Walk With a Doc once again.
This time, though, there are a few changes. The internationally recognized program, formerly led in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World by cardiologist Dr. Max Rattes, is now being organized by Oracle Home Health Agency. Also, the venue has been moved from Alderman’s Ford Regional Park to the trails within the Walden Lake community — right by Oracle’s offices.
“It’s designed to help people engage in physical activity,” said Susan Nieves, of Oracle. “Specifically, walking for better heart health.”
The program encourages doctors to go on a walk with patients as well as people who just want to know more about living a healthy lifestyle. The walks often are about two miles long, as is the case with Plant City’s event.
There are also a number of goods and services available at the event, such as blood-pressure tests, door prizes and more.
“Everything is free,” Nieves said. “We don’t charge people to set up, and nobody is going to sell anything.”
A licensed professional also will be available to discuss a variety of health-related topics with walkers. Dr. Rattes also will be participating in Saturday’s event.
Walk With a Doc, founded nine years ago in Ohio, currently has six locations in Florida. Saturday’s Plant City walk is the only one listed in Hillsborough County. Nationally, these walks are held in 32 states. And, internationally, the program has followings in Canada, Russia and Australia.
It’s also not too late to register. Anyone wishing to do so should call Nieves at (813) 695-5285.
For more information about the event, visit Oracle’s Facebook page at facebook.com/OracleHomeHealth. For more information about the Walk With a Doc program, visit the official website, walkwithadoc.org.
Contact Justin Kline at jkline@plantcityobserver.com.
IF YOU GO
WALK WITH A DOC
WHEN: 9 a.m. Saturday, April 26|
WHERE: Oracle Home Health Office, 1602 W. Timberlane Drive
INFO: (813) 752-3456 or online at walkwithadoc.org