VA nurse creates 5K running program for Veterans

For the past six months, Jenifer Webb, Joplin Community Based Outpatient Clinic nurse practitioner, would change out of her work clothes and into her running clothes to meet five Veterans at the Missouri Southern State University Student Recreation Center track.

These very special Veterans joined the Train2Run pilot program Webb started.

A walking and running program

Jenifer Webb

Veterans met on Mondays and Wednesdays for one hour outside the Joplin Clinic.  Webb put together a training program that started with walking, then running, and then added more running as the months passed.

While these Veterans were very different in age and abilities, they all had the same goal when training: to finish a 5K. They accomplished that goal Oct. 8 at Joplin Landreth Park in Missouri, when they completed the 5K.

“I am here to inspire them to get moving again.”

They range in age from 22 to 78 years old. The participants could walk, run or roll in the Train2Run 5K Event, which was open for all. The race began at 9 a.m. and more than 40 people came to cheer them on.

“When I started the program, I could not roll more than 15 second intervals, but today I rolled 3.1 miles,” a tired and happy Shane Newby, a Navy Veteran, said.

Newby learned of the pilot program during his appointment with Webb. He talked with her about different options to lose weight and be healthy while in a wheelchair. Webb discussed with Newby, as she does with all her patients, about using the Whole Health philosophy, which she uses in her practice.

Kristi and Shane Newby in the run and roll

“These Veterans used to be in the best shape of their life,” she said. “I am here to teach, coach, inspire and make sure they are safe while training and getting back to moving again.”

Webb’s motto is “Forward is Progress” 

Whole Health is VA’s approach to provide care that supports health and well-being. It centers around, “What matters to you, not what is the matter with you.” Whole Health puts Veterans in control of their health care. It focuses on self care, skill building and support.

Veterans’ health teams work with them to develop a personalized health plan based on their goals, needs and values.

Veterans are encouraged to talk to their primary care team to discuss options available to them to incorporate Whole Health practices into their care.

Army Veteran Rick Emmons, one of the five Veterans who trained with the group this summer said, “I am tired, happy to finish, and loved that I got in shape and shared this experience with other Veterans.”

Dr. Ragini Sharma, associate chief of staff of Primary Care, is happy with the results of the pilot program. Her hope is to expand the program to other clinics to encourage and give more Veterans an opportunity to participate.