For Immediate Release:
September 17, 2012

Southcoast to kick-off "Take a Walk with a Southcoast Doc" monthly walking program on September 29

First walk to take place at Heritage State Park lead by Southcoast cardiologist Peter Cohn, MD

FALL RIVER, Mass. — On Saturday, September 29, Southcoastª Health System will kick-off "Take a Walk with a Southcoast Doc," a two-mile community walk lead by Southcoast cardiologist, Peter Cohn, MD.

Taking a brisk walk can do wonders for your heath. In fact, walking just 30 minutes a day can decrease your risk of many health problems including heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Southcoast physicians want to help guide you on the path to good health with a new, monthly walking program that is designed to get people up, moving and enjoying some beautiful walks that can be found throughout the South Coast region.

"Take a Walk with a Southcoast Doc" will begin Saturday, September 29, at 10 a.m. at Heritage State Park in Fall River. The approximately two-mile walk will be lead by Peter Cohn, MD, a cardiologist with Southcoast Physicians Group's Truesdale Cardiology practice and Associate Physician-in-Chief of the Cardiovascular Care Center at Southcoast Health System. Dr. Cohn will also be joined by staff from the Southcoast Cardiac Prevention program.

The community is invited to join Dr. Cohn for a brief presentation at the Heritage State Park Visitor Center on Davol Street followed by the two-mile walk along the boardwalk. All ages and levels of walking ability are welcome. Participants will receive a free pedometer and "Better Health Kits" that include information on nutrition and exercise.

"As the leading provider of comprehensive cardiac services and the only health system in the region to perform cardiac surgery, it is important to Southcoast that we not only provide the best possible heart care services but that we take an active role in helping everyone in the community lead healthier lives," said Margaret Ferrell, MD, Physician-in-Chief of Cardiovascular Services at Southcoast.

"Heart disease is the greatest health problem the South Coast faces. Tens of thousands of our neighbors, family and friends suffer from heart disease and the mortality rate in our region is considerably higher than the state average."

Registration is encouraged. To register call the Southcoast Wellness Line at 1-800-497-1727.

The "Take a Walk with a Southcoast Doc" program will conduct monthly walks with Southcoast Physicians Group doctors throughout the South Coast region. Visit www.southcoast.org/walkwithadoc/ for more information about where Southcoast physicians will be walking next.