At the University of Louisville School of Medicine, our faculty are extremely passionate about improving the health of our community, our Commonwealth and our world. Bridget Hittepole, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in the Department of Medicine, leads the Louisville Chapter of Walk with a Doc, underscoring our dedication to reducing health barriers and improving patient outcomes. Dr. Hittepole was recently recognized as a 2025 Health Care Hero in the Rising Star category by Louisville Business First, reiterating her passion for bettering the community through health and wellness initiatives while improving access to care.

ULSOM: What was your initial inspiration for becoming involved with the Walk with a Doc program and how has that continued to manifest through your leadership?

Hittepole: I attended the International Conference on Nutrition in Medicine in 2022, and I think that is where I first heard about Walk with a Doc. Our new departmental chair, Dr. Kim Williams, was very supportive of this when I requested funding to start our chapter, so it was perfect timing. I believe strongly in the principles the program is founded on - movement, time in nature, education, and social connection. During office visits I can touch on the importance of physical activity and spending time outdoors, but it does not compare to being present with participants and other providers during an event. The walks can be incredibly informative for participants, while highlighting the amazing faculty at UofL and their research projects, especially as it may pertain to personal or community health.

ULSOM: In what ways does Walk with a Doc impact the health of the community and how do you leverage that impact to contribute to ULSOM’s mission of reducing health disparities and improving patient access?

Hittepole: Walk with a Doc welcomes everyone, any age or ability, to walk or roll. Waterfront Park is accessible for wheelchairs and strollers and the route we take is accessible throughout. We love it when families participate and bring their children, it creates memories of physical activity that kids will likely remember in a positive light. We encourage participants to walk at their own pace. Our typical route is about 2.7 miles through Waterfront Park across the Big Four bridge and back, but participants can decrease the distance if desired, or even go longer. The Big Four bridge and the park are perfect locations with many benches for stopping to rest or to enjoy the view of the Ohio River. During the walk, some of the speakers discuss their research and how it impacts the health of our community, while others discuss conditions or health initiatives. For instance, Dr. Aruni Bhatnagar discussed the Green Heart Project in June 2023, and it was a wonderful talk about the study of planting trees throughout the community and how this could impact neighborhood health.

ULSOM: How does Walk with a Doc assist in bridging the gap between community members and doctors?

Hittepole: Walk with a Doc is an informal setting that allows patients and physicians to connect in a way that is not possible in the confines of an office space. It can also be a wonderful setting for other physicians to connect outside of a clinical setting and share ideas. It’s truly rewarding for me as a physician to see patients enjoying active time with their families and connecting with other community members in this setting. I suspect patients and community members see physicians are not too unlike themselves and enjoy simple things like a walk in the park.

ULSOM: What has been the most rewarding aspect of this program for you as a primary care physician who focuses on building relationships with patients to provide the best possible care?

Hittepole: For me the most rewarding aspect of Walk with a Doc has been connecting to patients outside of the office. I can meet family members that might not come to patients’ office visits with them, and/or their pets! I also really enjoy discussing health topics with people on a broader platform that can reach more people than in an office setting. I can only see one person at a time during an office encounter, but during our group walks the educational component can influence so many more people.

ULSOM: When and where do these walks take place, and how can other local providers and/or community members get involved with Walk with a Doc?

Hittepole: The walks are on the second Saturday of every month at Waterfront Park near downtown Louisville at 10 a.m. The chapter meets near the Lincoln statue, which can be located through a GPS with the address 601 River Rd, which will take you to an adjacent parking lot. Our inclement weather location is Oxmoor Mall on Shelbyville Road. On that note, we are always looking for physicians who are interested in giving a talk and, as always, welcome any new participants to join the chapter walks. All participants must first sign a waiver, found on the website listed below.

More information can be found by connecting with the chapter on the following platforms:

•  Facebook: Walk with a Doc Louisville KY
• Instagram: @walkwithadoc_lou_ky
• Email: walkwithadoclou@gmail.com
• Chapter Website (sign waiver here): Walk with a Doc – Louisville, KY

Dr. Hittepole truly embodies what it means to be a health care hero, fostering community wellness and removing barriers to care through these monthly walks.  ULSOM is proud to have faculty like Dr. Hittepole who work every day at making the world a better place. We invite you to join us for the next Walk with a Doc event on Saturday, March 8.