WVU Walk with a Future Doc program works to promote wellness, generate discussion among medical students

A student-led organization at the West Virginia University School of Medicine is working to promote wellness through bi-weekly walks that generate discussion on ways people can improve both their physical and mental health.

In March 2020, a group of WVU medical students launched a Walk with a Future Doc program at the University, which are chapters of the national nonprofit Walk with a Doc that are entirely led by medical students.

One of those students was Mia Antinone, a third-year medical student and current president of the chapter, who said her group had to immediately change their plans for the program due to COVID-19.

The group originally planned to have different WVU medical professionals present a brief talk on a health-related topic before leading a walk in-person, but had to adjust their plans when the pandemic began and everyone was at home and practicing social distancing.

“Once the pandemic hit, we got the idea to gather over Zoom, where participants could walk with us while walking around their neighborhood or on their treadmill at home,” Antinone explained. “After our presenter finishes their talk, we ask participants to chat with us, tell us where they are walking from and engage in a question-and-answer style discussion with the presenter about their topic.”

Antinone said that she believes the program took on extra importance during the pandemic because it gave people a way to get exercise while being part of an engaging community during their time at home.

She also noted that the virtual format gave them the opportunity to expand their reach beyond Morgantown, allowing them to reach participants from 11 West Virginia counties, 10 different states, and even from abroad in Germany.

WVU Walk with a Future Doc’s Faculty Sponsor Treah Haggerty, M.D., said the idea to move to a virtual format showcased skills that would benefit any future doctor.

“As doctors, we have to know how to pivot and refocus in the moment, and the students did just that when they decided to switch to a digital format,” Dr. Haggerty said.

With students back on campus for the fall semester, the walks are now being held in a hybrid format with in-person walks in Morgantown and the virtual attendance option for those who wish to walk at home.

The program has developed a faithful community of Zoom followers who show up to each walk, many of which are medical students, according to Antinone. She said the walks not only represent a great learning opportunity for students; but that they also are great for maintaining a student’s physical and mental health.

“They serve as a good way to remind us to take care of ourselves,” she explained. “We get to be exercising and talk with other people with similar interests as us, while also expanding our knowledge in a fun and interactive way.”

Antinone said she hopes students, or anyone interested in improving their health, will decide to try a walk once and enjoy it so much they decide to return, or tell their friends or family members about it.

She also hopes that just like the parent Walk with a Doc programs, physicians will continue to tell patients about this program, invite them to walks and that those patients will accept those invitations and join students and faculty in improving their health.

“We want to inspire a community of movement within the medical school, Morgantown and beyond,” she said.

To stay up to date on future walks, you can visit the WVU Walk with a Future Doc Facebook Page. You can also listen to the audio from previous walks on the chapter’s YouTube page.