Walk with your Doc 2015

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By Donna Morken

Friday, May 29 was the second annual Walk With Your Doc, co-ordinated through Healthy Rivers Area, a subcommittee of Riverdale District Health Auxiliary (RDHA). This year the last weekday of May coincided to include University of Manitoba’s Rural Week medical students.

In total we had more than 230 people participate and it was much different weather-wise than last year; this year was cool and breezy. Teachers, educational assistants and students from both Rivers Elementary School and Rivers Collegiate, mothers with children, residents and caregivers from Rolling Dale, recreation director Navi Gill, police chief Bruce Klassen, councillor Dave Falkevitch, RDHA president Lynn Madden and many other members participated in the walk around our community. Naturally Riverdale Health Centre doctors Mandeep Dhaliwal and Heather Nowasad joined us, as did U of M students Ryan Best and Justin Kozak. Our four-legged friend Maggie (belonging to Dave and Donna Falkevitch) joined us again this year and was a hit with everyone. 

The walk was approximately one hour long and it was a great way to get some fresh air and visit with other walkers along the way.

Jennifer Paige from The Manitoba Co-operator (who did an interview with the medical students) also participated in the walk and then included us in her article in that paper. CTV evening news in Winnipeg also had a short video of our walk.

This year Dauphin Health Centre took up our challenge, as did Baldur, and each completed walks in their communities. We hope to see more areas of Manitoba take up the challenge next year. Healthy communities keep everyone active and involved.