Houston physician Shikha Bharaktiya, MD, of Endocrinology Clinics of Texas, will lead her first Walk with a Doc Texas event this Saturday, November 15, at 9 am in Memorial Park. The event is open to residents of all ages and will recur monthly on the third Saturday. Participants are asked to meet across from the Mayor Jim McConn Memorial Softball Field on E. Memorial Loop Drive. In case of bad weather, the walk will move indoors to the Galleria mall at 5051 Post Oak Blvd., meeting near the Cheesecake Factory.
Dr. Bharaktiya and staff from Endocrinology Clinics of Texas invite community members to join them for a walk designed to promote health and provide information about healthy living. During the event, healthcare professionals will be available to answer questions and offer support.
“Walking is one of the simplest, best things people can do to live a long, high-quality life. Walk with a Doc makes it easy by providing the time, place, motivation (a brief health information talk), and fellow participants for a fun walking experience,” according to organizers.
The Walk with a Doc program encourages physicians to organize community walks where patients and local residents can participate alongside medical professionals. The initiative aims to make physical activity more accessible while also offering opportunities for health education.
Walk with a Doc Texas is managed by a national nonprofit focused on promoting activity and wellness through physician-led walking groups. In Texas, it operates under the support of the Texas Medical Association (TMA). TMA is recognized as the largest state medical society in the United States, representing over 59,000 physicians and medical students across 110 county societies throughout Texas. Since its founding in 1853, TMA has worked toward improving public health statewide.
The program is free and does not require preregistration. Funding for Walk with a Doc Texas in 2025 comes from TMA Foundation with additional support from TMA Insurance Trust as well as contributions from other organizations and individuals. More details about future walks will be posted on this chapter’s Walk with a Doc website.
Walk with a Doc was founded in 2005 by Dr. David Sabgir in Columbus, Ohio, aiming to encourage communities through movement and dialogue led by physicians.
For more information about TMA Foundation’s role in supporting public health initiatives like this one, visit their website: https://www.tmaf.org/. Additional details about Walk with a Doc nationally can be found here: https://walkwithadoc.org/.
