New walking program for parents starts Friday at Westfield Galleria at Roseville

Dozens of parents with strollers are expected to turn out for inaugural walk, which features medical experts in women’s health and pediatrics

Parents are invited to join a free, new walking program – Stroll to Thrive – that starts Friday at Westfield Galleria at Roseville.

The kickoff event begins at 9 a.m. at the indoor children’s play area on the mall’s lower level, where John Vallee, MD, a Kaiser Permanente specialist in women’s health, will present a talk about health and fitness for mothers: “Creative Ways to get back into Shape.”

The walk for parents with strollers will start at 9:30 a.m., and loop twice around the mall’s lower level, beginning and ending near Sears. The inaugural walk will be led by Dr. Vallee. Roseville Mayor Susan Rohan, and Sandy Sharon, the Kaiser Permanente Roseville Medical Center’s chief operating officer, will be in attendance.

After the walk, parents are invited to gather at the play area for raffle prizes from mall merchants, snacks for children and adults, an activity for kids, information about women’s health, and “ask the doctor” booths featuring Kaiser Permanente pediatricians.

The event ends at noon.

The weekly Stroll to Thrive walking program is free to nonmembers and members of Kaiser Permanente. Those who join receive a free T-shirt, pedometer, and emails about upcoming activities, including information about guest physicians who will lead the walks.

To register for the free program, click on: kpwalktothrive.org.