Health Care Professionals Walk to Heart Health

OKLAHOMA CITY -- They're used to giving their all for patients, but when it comes to caring for their own needs, health care professionals' own lives often take a back seat. Now, a local hospital is stepping in with a challenge.

The Oklahoma City Heart Walk is this weekend, and they hope if you're not getting any exercise now this event will give you a place to start. It's a concept sweeping over a local hospital that will likely carry over into the better care for OU.

Betty Benoit says there's a cultural movement.

"When the clock tower chimes, we're taking off," Benoit said.

The walk is taking over OU Medical Center and it has the staff from all corners of the hospital, moving towards one common goal.

"Historically, you look at your health care workers focus on the care of the patient and we have not focused on the care of ourselves, so as you look at Mayor Cornett is setting a standard for the city," Chief Administrator Officer Adult Services with OU Medical Center Becki Benoit said. "We want to join that."

With that in mind, they've set out a competition to see who can get in the most laps around their campus track in 15 minutes. Moving on the track is the first step in getting those who care for others nurturing their own heart health.

"If a person walks one hour a day, seven days a week that person can cut the risk of breast cancer 20 percent, diabetes 50 percent and cardiovascular disease about 30 to 40 percent," Cardiologist with OU Medical Center Dr. Jorge Saucedo said.

Walking is just a step in a long list of things OU Medical Center is doing from healthier food in the cafeteria, to building teams of walkers. They've also launched a program called excel which focuses on communication with patients and their families; a cultural movement and mindset that may even rub off on patients that healthier is the best way to go.

If you want to get going on a road to better health this weekend is the time to do it. Head to downtown Oklahoma City at 8 a.m. and walk in the Oklahoma City Heart Walk.

Find out how to donate and participate in the Oklahoma City Heart Walk.