The concept behind Walk With a Future Doc at The George Washington University (GW) is simple; start your weekend with a walk around GW’s Foggy Bottom campus, while engaging in captivating conversations with healthcare students and professionals alike. Simple, yet powerful, as the program combines physical activity, joyful conversations, and better health insights.
Walk With a Future Doc, which began over twenty years ago, offers free walking programs to communities around the globe, led by doctors, healthcare providers, and medical students. People of all ages and backgrounds come together to learn about topics such as heart health, cognitive health, and general well-being.
The Foggy Bottom West End chapter of Walk With a Future Doc exists because of the power of student initiative. Originally started in 2019, this chapter was forced to pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, a dedicated group of students reinvigorated the program as part of their interprofessional community practicum course, taught by an assistant professor within the GW Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program, Erin Wentzell, PT, DPT, DrPH. Laney Heien, a physical therapy (PT) student within GW’s Health, Human Function, and Rehabilitation Sciences (HHFRS) department in the School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS), and her classmates secured funding through the Dr. Annemarie Sommer Scholarship on July 8th, 2024, in order to pilot the program within the Foggy Bottom local community, and create a leadership board of future health professionals.
In 2024, Heien collaborated alongside her classmates to establish a Washington D.C., Foggy Bottom West End chapter of Walk with a Future Doc. Their goal was to create an opportunity for GW students from across various healthcare majors to engage with members of their community in Foggy Bottom on a regular basis. Heien highlighted the importance of these walks, stating, “that it is not just about providing service and expertise to the community, but also about interacting with people; hearing their stories, and learning about their experiences in healthcare.” For Heien and other students who volunteer once a month to walk a mile round trip from Ross Hall to The Kennedy Center, it is not just about teachable moments or practical applications. It is also about gaining new perspectives from those community members who participate, as many come from various backgrounds and have diverse life experiences.
Wentzell is an avid participant with Walk With a Future Doc, and emphasized the broader impact of the initiative. Wentzell notes that, “There’s a lot of distrust in the medical system, and many biases exist between healthcare professionals and patients. This program offers a simple yet profound way to combat those issues by fostering empathy, connection, and engagement in a relaxed, enjoyable setting. "It’s about building trust through conversation, not just lectures.” Wentzell’s enthusiasm for the Walk With a Future Doc mission is clear, evidenced by her ongoing involvement. “I leave every walk feeling invigorated and excited to watch the program grow,” she says. “It’s been incredible to watch this project evolve from a pilot into a recognized chapter of Walk With a Future Doc. I’m so proud of what our students have accomplished,” says Wentzell. Both Heien and Wentzell hope to see the program continue to grow, by including more diversity of health professionals and a broader audience than just the Foggy Bottom community.
One remarkable aspect of Walk With a Future Doc is its inclusivity; bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds while creating opportunities for intergenerational learning and community building. The smiles, the conversation, and the sense of connection are energizing and can leave a positive lasting impression on anyone in the healthcare field, or otherwise seeking out new ways to engage with their community.