Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital has partnered with the City of Dunwoody to launch the "Walk with a Doc" program, a free monthly walk event at Brook Run Park that encourages exercise, outdoor activity and guidance on healthy lifestyle practices. The program is focused on getting participants active while conferring with a healthcare professional who will provide support to walkers and answer questions during the walk.

Stephen Szabo, MD, the Director of Community Oncology at Winship Cancer Institute (Winship) at Emory Saint Joseph's, kicked off the program on September 9. Szabo specializes in the treatment of breast cancer, gastrointestinal cancers and benign hematology, and he will speak on the topic "Personalized Oncology."

"There's no question that increasing exercise, even moderately, reduces the risks of many diseases, including heart disease, breast and colon cancer," says Szabo. "I'm very pleased to be a part of this exciting and simple program which offers an opportunity for improved health results for so many people in and around the Dunwoody community."

The "Walk with a Doc" exercise and education initiative will be held the second Saturday of each month at Brook Run Park, 4770 N. Peachtree Road. Emory Saint Joseph's physicians scheduled for upcoming walks include:

• Oct. 14 – Elizabeth Shaw, MD. Topic: fall allergy symptoms
• Nov. 11 – Jeffrey Peretz, MD. Topic: hip and knee arthritis
• Dec. 9 – Mitchell Blass, MD. Topic: infectious disease

Walk with a Doc is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to encourage healthy physical activity in people of all ages, and reverse the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle in order to improve health and well-being. Pre-registration for this event is not required.