Newsworthy

Stormont Vail Health invites the community to its upcoming Walk With A Doc event on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, from 9 to 10 a.m. on the east side of Lee Arena at Washburn University, 1901 S.W. Mulvane St., Topeka 66621.

This month’s walk features Dr. Abhinav Pal, neonatology specialist at Stormont Vail. As the health system expands access to VBAC (vaginal births after cesarean) and its Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) celebrates the 20th anniversary in its current space in September, Dr. Pal will discuss how investments in these services are transforming care quality and access—empowering more families to make informed decisions about their birth experiences.

“Every baby in our NICU has a story of resilience, and every family deserves choices in their birth journey,” said Dr. Pal. “As we celebrate more than 20 years of neonatal care at Stormont Vail, I’m proud to see how VBAC availability is helping us support safer, more personalized experiences for mothers and newborns alike.”

This free, public event is suitable for all ages and fitness levels. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, bring sun protection, and come with questions. Walk With A Doc is a national program that promotes physical activity and health education in a relaxed, accessible setting. Stormont Vail hosts regular walks as part of its commitment to community wellness.

About Walk with a Doc: Walk with a Doc (WWAD) is an international nonprofit organization whose mission is to inspire communities through movement and conversation with physician-led walking groups. WWAD was started in 2005 by David Sabgir, M.D., a board-certified cardiologist in Columbus, Ohio. To learn more, go to the Walk with a Doc website.