Walk the talk – Doctors of BC’s Walk with your Doc

This past Sunday, I had both the pleasure and reward of attending this year’s Walk with your Doc kickoff event in my hometown of Oliver in the sunny South Okanagan. More than 50 participants of all ages joined me, my colleagues, and local physiotherapy and kinesiologist professionals at the event.  Clearly the event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of local volunteers, the Physiotherapy Association of BC, Oliver Parks and Recreation, The Osoyoos and South Okanagan Physiotherapy & Active Wellness Centre, and the South Okanagan-Similkameen Division of Family Practice. Participants were led through a fun pre-walk warm up, and then headed out with their complimentary pedometers in hand – or on hips. All in all it was a wonderful day.

For those who may not be familiar, Walk with your Doc is a province-wide Doctors of BC initiative that celebrates daily movement and activity for better health. It provides a fantastic opportunity for doctors in a community to connect with our patients outside the formality of our clinics, and demonstrate our commitment to supporting our patients to lead healthy lifestyles.

This week, May 6^th – 14^th, marks the 8^th annual Walk with your Doc event, and will see over 60 walks happen across BC – all generously organized by doctors, community leaders and health care partners. Nearly 400 of our physician colleagues will be taking part, leading more than 4,500 British Columbians who are signed on taking steps towards better health.

Our role as physicians extends well beyond supporting patients who are ill, injured or suffering from a disability; it’s about working together with patients and communities to prevent avoidable illnesses and diseases. We know two of the best ways to do this are to be more active and to lead a healthy lifestyle.  For many, the easiest way to do this – regardless of age or ability – is to get out and walk.

So to all of our colleagues around the province who are participating in a Walk with your Doc event this week, I thank you – and a generous thank you at that. And I encourage all others to join in – find a walk near you, grab your family, friends and patients and get moving for a healthier life.  Your participation as a doctor sends a strong message in your community!