Walk with a Doc

This fall the Integrative Health team at Hennepin Healthcare has joined with the international non-profit organization Walk with a Doc to promote healthy movement and community. Starting on Sat. Nov 20^th at 10 am, Dr. Shawn Olson will lead a fun and relaxing walk through the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden . We will meet under the Cowles Pavilion (the big glass pavilion near the Walker Art Center) where Dr. Olson will give a brief wellness talk and then lead a stroll-at-your-own-pace-and-distance walk through the park. If the weather is bad, we’ll move the walk to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Both spaces are free, open to the public, and offer the opportunity to explore the healing power of the intersection of art and movement.

Moving forward, these walks will take place the second Sat of every month at 10 am. Hennepin patients and staff as well as their friends and family are all encouraged to attend. The more the merrier! Walks will be led by various members of our medical staff, from doctors to chiropractors, physical therapists, and more. Anyone with a “doctor” in their degree (MD, DC, DO, DPT, etc.) can lead the walk – feel free to contact [email protected] if you’d like to be involved or lead a walk.

Walk with a Doc is a great way to encourage and empower staff and patients alike to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle. Walking is low low-impact and gentle but powerful way to improve our musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, metabolic, and emotional well-being. There is even promising research showing associations between aerobic physical activity like walking and brain function. Plus it’s a great way to meet new friends and enjoy being a part of a healthy community. We’ll explore not just how good a walk with friends can feel, but also the wonder and healing power of experiencing great art with others.

For added incentive, the first community member to attend the walk on Nov. 20^th will get a free Walk with a Doc water bottle.

Everyone is welcome!

Upcoming walks:

Sat. Nov. 20^th – Dr. Shawn Olson, Lifestyle Medicine

Sat. Dec. 11^th – Dr. Rick Printon, Chiropractor

For the safety of our community please do not attend if you are experiencing any symptoms of or have had known exposure to COVID-19. Masks are required by all participants and vaccination is highly encouraged.

Catherine Justice, PT, DPT, CST, C-IAYT, E-RYT Is an Integrative Physical Therapist and the Program Manager for Integrative Health at Hennepin Healthcare.