(Joplin, MO) – Ozark Center officials couldn’t have chosen a more gorgeous spring morning to debut its inaugural Walk with a Doc event at Joplin’s Mercy Park on Saturday, June 14.
Think of the program as the perfect union between health and happiness that’s accessible to one and all by allowing participants to safely take a walk, learn about current behavioral wellness topics, and meet new people.
During the chapter’s first public walk, members of the community heard from Dr. Nauman Ashraf, program director for Ozark Center’s Psychiatry Residency program. Speaking prior to the start of the walk, Dr. Ashraf focused on shattering negative attitudes, beliefs, stereotypes, and discriminations some people may hold towards those who experience mental health conditions. The idea is to bring such discussions out into the open where they can be embraced and openly discussed.
“The biggest message I want to get across is we need to fight this stigma against mental illness as well as addiction — it’s a medial disorder just like any disorder like hypertension or diabetes,” Dr. Ashraf said. “If we really believe in it and we can create some awareness — all of us creating this ripple effect — we can go into other communities, whatever I tell them they can take (the message) forward and educate other people. That’s what I’m hoping to do.”
Vicky Mieseler, Ozark Center’s Chief Executive Officer, said they first learned about the national Walk with a Doc program from the Springfield chapter. Since the Springfield chapter focuses on healthcare, Ozark Center officials thought it would be a good idea to highlight mental and behavioral health.
“It’s an opportunity to hear a brief presentation from one of our psychiatrists and learn a little bit about mental health – maybe something you didn’t know,” she said. “And then as you walk through the beautiful rotary sculpture garden, you can ask questions, maybe you have questions about yourself, or somebody that you love, it’s a good opportunity to get those questions answered.”
This free community walking program will be led each month by one of Ozark Center’s behavioral healthcare providers and is open to people of all ages and abilities. Each walk starts at 9:00 am on the second Saturday of the month at Mercy Park, 3002 St Johns Blvd., meeting beneath the Mercy Park Pavilion. During inclement weather, the walk will move to the Joplin Family YMCA, 3404 W. McIntosh Cir Dr., Joplin.
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About Freeman Health System:
Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2024, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers and their experiences. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System one of the Best Hospitals for 2022. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 90 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services, women’s services, and many others for all of the Four State Area. Freeman is also involved in numerous community-based activities and sponsored events and celebrations. Additionally, in the Joplin/Pittsburg areas, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius.
About Ozark Center:
An integral component of Freeman Health System based in Joplin, Mo., Ozark Center provides comprehensive behavioral health services to children, adults and families in an area that includes more than 450,000 residents from Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Kansas. Ozark Center continually looks for innovative ways to address the mental health needs of the community and promote awareness of mental illness in an effort to eliminate the discrimination associated with it. For more information, visit ozarkcenter.com or call 417.347.7600.
Reference:
Ozark Center
Freeman Health System
417.347.7600
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