One in four adults in Henry County are physically inactive and nearly one in three are considered obese, according to a recent health needs assessment by Piedmont Healthcare. To help the community get active and have better access to physicians, Piedmont Healthcare is piloting a health and group fitness program called Walk with a Doc.
“This program was designed to help people in Henry County take charge of their health,” said Holly Lang, director of Community Benefits and External Affairs for Piedmont Healthcare. “We know it is important to stay active and see a primary care physician regularly but often times, people find it difficult to keep up. Walk with a Doc addresses both issues by giving people an opportunity to get the exercise they need and the ability to ask a doctor general health questions.”
Beginning in March and continuing through July, Piedmont Henry Hospital will coordinate monthly Walk with a Doc walks from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Heritage Park in McDonough. Participants will receive a free pedometer to help them keep track of the number of steps taken and a free Walk with a Doc t-shirt. Doctors will take five minutes to talk on a health topic of their choice and participants can ask questions freely for the remainder of the session.
Participants should meet at 8:30 a.m. at the Veterans Wall of Honor located in Heritage Park at 101 Lake Dow Road in McDonough. Follow signage on event day. Registration is required at piedmont.org under the Search Classes & Events tab or by phone at 1-877-527-3712. Walk events will be held at multiple metro Atlanta sites so be sure to select the Henry walk event. Participants are encouraged to attend as many walks as possible. Please register for each walk that you plan to attend.
The schedule for Walk with a Doc is as follows:
Walk with Collyn Steele, M.D.
Saturday, April 26 at 8:30 a.m.
Dr. Steele is board certified in Family Medicine and a physician with Eagle’s Landing Family Practice in McDonough. She is a native of Georgia and was raised in Henry County, graduating from Eagle’s Landing High School in 1998. She received her Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Nutritional Science from the University of Georgia in 2002. After graduating from Ross University Medical School with highest honors, Dr. Steele completed her internship at the University of Illinois - Chicago and her residency at the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. Talk to Dr. Steele about the importance of prevention and what you can do now to improve your health.
Walk with Satya Suddala, M.D.
Saturday, May 24 at 8:30 a.m.
Dr. Suddala is board certified in Obstetrics/Gynecology in both India and the United States. Dr. Suddala has been practicing in the United States for the last 25 years and in south Atlanta for the past 18 years. She was on the faculty of the University of South Florida as a Clinical Assistant Professor in the OB/GYN department in Tampa, Florida. Talk to Dr. Suddala about anything and everything about any female concerns related to pregnancy, menstrual cycles, birth control, pap smears, etc. Dr. Suddala’s main message is health is wealth and prevention is better than cure; invest in your health.
Walk with Jerry Roberts, DPM
Saturday, June 28 at 8:30 a.m.
Griffin native Dr. Roberts attended the University of Georgia before training at Ohio College of Podiatric Medicine in Cleveland, OH. He completed his Reconstructive Rearfoot and Ankle Surgical Residency in Cleveland and now practices at Field Foot and Ankle Clinic in Griffin and Forsyth. He is one of few physicians in the Atlanta area offering Total Ankle Replacement. He also has a special interest in wound care and limb salvage in which he has lectured and has been published in national journals. Talk to Dr Roberts about proper shoe selection and the importance of walking in patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).
Walk with John Schilling, M.D.
Saturday, July 26 at 8:30 a.m.
Dr. Schilling is and obstetrician and gynecologist with 32 years of experience. He is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics & Gynecology and a fellow with the American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists. He received his Bachelor of Science from Georgia State University, his medical degree at the Medical College of Georgia and completed his residency at Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center in Aurora, CO. Talk to Dr. Schilling about menopause issues and bio-identical hormone replacement, anti-aging therapies and cosmetic surgery enhancement procedures.
Walk with Clarisa Haugabrook, M.D.
Saturday, August 23 at 8:30 a.m.
Dr. Haugabrook is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology. She graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans and completed her internship at Tulane University School of Medicine. Talk to Dr. Haugabrook about general wellness and prevention issues.