Piedmont Newnan Hospital is kicking off another season of Walk with a Doc, a free opportunity for everyone in the community to “walk and talk” with a healthcare professional.
Walking is the simplest way to effectively improve your heart health. It can help burn calories, reduce body fat and slim your waist. In addition, walking can help lower blood pressure and reduce stress.
This year’s series will be held the second Saturday of each month through November at Piedmont Newnan Hospital, 745 Poplar Road in Newnan. All members of the Coweta County community are invited. The first walk will be led by neurologist Fariba Farhidvash, M.D., Saturday, March 14, at 8:30 a.m.
Dr. Farhidvash is board certified in neurology and a member of the American Epilepsy Society, the American Academy of Neurology and the Professional Advisory Board of the Epilepsy Foundation of Georgia. She earned her undergraduate degree from Agnes Scott College and her medical degree at the Emory University School of Medicine. She completed her neurology residency at Emory University and an epilepsy fellowship at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Farhidvash went on to attend Johns Hopkins University obtaining a Masters in Public Health.
Walkers are encouraged to gather in the hospital’s main lobby by 8:15 a.m. as the walk begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. Dr. Farhidvash will take five minutes to talk about a health topic of her choice before leading participants on a walk around the hospital campus while she answers questions from participants.
Participants will receive a pedometer to help them keep track of the number of steps taken, as well as a choice of a free T-shirt or water bottle. While the event is free, registration is required by calling 877-527-3712 or visiting www.piedmont.org/patients-visitors/walk-with-a-doc. Registration will also be available on site starting at 8 a.m.
Piedmont launched Walk with a Doc after their health needs assessment showed that one in four adults in Coweta County is physically inactive and nearly one in three is considered obese. The walks not only encourage physical fitness, but they give participants one-on-one time with a physician, allowing participants the opportunity to talk about health outside of an office setting.