• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
  • Events
  • Join Our Team
  • Media Resources
  • In the News
  • Blog
Donate Patient Portal
Family First Health

Family First Health

A community health care center

  • Schedule Appointment
  • Services
    • Medical Services
      • Integrated Substance Use Services
      • Integrated Behavioral Health Services
      • Optometry
    • Dental Services
      • Mobile School Dentist Program
    • Community Health Programs
      • Caring Together
      • Nurse-Family Partnership
      • Connections For a Healthy Pregnancy
    • COVID-19 Information
  • Providers
  • Patient Info
    • Patient Info & Forms
    • Insurance & Sliding Fee
    • Patient Portal
  • Locations
    • Columbia Dental
    • Columbia Medical
    • George Street
    • Gettysburg
    • Hannah Penn
    • Hanover
    • Lebanon
    • Lewisberry
  • Watch
    • Vaccine Stories
    • Community Health Briefings
    • Let’s Talk Health
  • About
    • Careers
    • Contact
    • Financials

Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon clinic partners with ‘Walk with a Doc’ to promote healthy living

You are here: Home / In the News / Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon clinic partners with ‘Walk with a Doc’ to promote healthy living

October 14, 2022 by Family First Health

Family First Health has partnered with “Walk with a Doc” to promote active lifestyles throughout Lebanon, hosting walks each month.

On Saturday, Oct. 15, The health clinic will host a walk inviting both healthcare professionals, patients and members of the community to a quick discussion about health and a 45-minute walk around Union Canal Tunnel Park.

These walks will continue to be hosted on the third Saturday of every month except for next month, which will be held on Nov. 12. All walks will be held at the same location.

For more information on dates and times, visit the Walk with a Doc Lebanon, PA Facebook page.

The walks are free, and participants will receive a free pedometer on their first walk.

The event begins at 10 a.m. and will last about an hour in total.

Anna Deraco, a physician assistant who will head the walks each month, said that the discussion for this month’s walk will focus on the act of walking itself, and its benefits as a “miracle” drug that treats and prevents all kinds of illnesses.

The Walk with a Doc program initially began with a cardiologist’s frustration with their patients living too sedentary, and began meeting his patients to walk.

It is now a nonprofit organization based in Ohio that partners with local communities to inspire physical activity and reduce the impact of a sedentary lifestyle.

“I read about this program years ago and I thought, that’s a great idea,” Deraco said, “I wanna do that with my patients too.

“So when I moved back to Lebanon a couple of years ago and started working with Family First, I just kept in my head that at some point I want to start one of the chapters.”

When she approached Family First Health with the idea a few months ago, they were supportive of the idea.

Each walk will begin with a different discussion regarding healthy living and end with a recap on what was taught.

Citing the large number of Spanish-speaking patients that she sees, Deraco said that the discussions will be offered bilingually.

Anyone, regardless of age, weight or ability is encouraged to come and walk at their own pace. There’s no distance requirements to the event. Some people might be able to walk a mile within that time, others might be able to walk three.

“No matter what your walking pace is, no matter what your fitness level is, It really is for everybody, just as long you’re getting out there and doing whatever you can wherever you are at the moment physically,” Deraco said.

The most effective pace to hold while walking is one where it’s still possible to hold a conversation, but with slight discomfort, she said.

The magic number for walking is about 150 minutes per week, or 30 minutes a day during the work week, and can have great health benefits including decreased levels of depression, back pain, diabetes and even constipation.

There’s no guess as to how many people might be showing up for this first walk, but most Walk with a Doc chapters have an average of about 20 people, Deraco said.

While it might take a bit of time for the Lebanon chapter to get there, she said that even if one person shows up this Saturday, it will be considered a success.

Category iconIn the News

Join Our Family

Sign up for occasional emails tailored towards family and community well-being.

Sign Up

From Our Patients

  • The receptionists are very pleasant. I would recommend this office to any of my friends who might need a doctor or dentist. The fact that they have someone who can help translate for my family has been such a convenience. I can't thank them enough.
    Gettysburg Site Patient
    Mrs. H | Gettysburg, PA
  • I've had some of the best experiences when using their dental services as well as the plethora of other services they provide. I really like the staff and they have all been super nice and friendly, I recommend that people take advantage of the services they provide!
    George Street Site Patient
    Dirk | York, PA
  • I love this place. My kids are addressed by their names, fast to get us in to be seen, its clean, very friendly. Always have a warm atmosphere. I LOVE IT HERE, first time I trust a practice with my babies!
    Columbia Site Patient
    Milagros | Columbia, PA
  • This is the most friendly, caring, and compassionate doctors office I've ever been to. You are a person with concerns and issues and ailments to them and they do everything they can to help. Everything is explained so you completely understand what the next step is.
    Lewisberry Site Patient
    Heather | Lewisberry, PA

Footer

Contact

Contact Us

717-845-8617

Patient Portal

  • YouTube
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

About

  • About Us
  • Locations
  • Our Providers
  • News

Patients

  • Medical Services
  • Dental Services
  • Services
  • Patient Portal
  • Insurance & Sliding Fee

Careers

  • Careers
  • Job Listings
  • Staff Login

All Content © 2023 Family First Health
Legal Disclaimer • Privacy Policy