Medical News The Valley's Leading Resource for Health and Wellness 3 Health Care Leaders Inspire Next Gen Workforce Coachella Valley health care leaders are ensuring that local students know there is a place for them in the health care workforce upon graduation. Two recent events exemplify this effort: “Let’s Get Psyched!” hosted by OneFuture’s Integrated Health Careers Alignment Team and a new Lab Lecture series launched by Eisenhower Health. On November 5, 2025, 170 high school students from health pathway programs at eight schools across our valley’s three K-12 districts spent the day on College of the Desert’s main campus. They interacted with behavioral health professionals from Riverside University Health System– Behavioral Health, Jewish Family Services of the Desert, Desert Insight Family Therapy, and Palm Springs Unified School District’s Behavioral Health department. Community partners included Desert Healthcare District, Health Career Connection, Olive Crest and Vision y Compromiso. In addition, students had the opportunity to tour health pathway programs at the college and meet COD and CSUSB-Palm Desert faculty to learn about education pathways that can prepare them for careers. The day began with a warm welcome from COD mascot Rodney the Roadrunner and CSUSB’s Cody the Coyote. Then, Julie Houston gave an inspiring keynote talk, “Finding Your Ikigai” (see p.19 for more), followed by a faculty panel, and popular student-to-professional panel featuring COD and CSUSB alumni who are local health care professionals. Students engaged in breakout sessions, including "Get Psyched for Your Career," hands-on nursing simulations, kinesiology demonstrations and social work discussions. Students could connect with professionals and explore college pathways during lunch. A post-event survey showed that 99% of the students now understand the different types of behavioral health careers available, and the education programs to help them get there. One student shared, “This event was amazing. As a senior exploring the campus… it is nice to see where I’ll be and imagine my future here.” Two weeks later, Eisenhower Health launched their new four-part Lab Lecture Series to introduce health academy seniors to the wide range of career opportunities in their network, from direct patient care positions to health care administration and nonclinical opportunities. Ninety high school seniors from eight high schools gathered at the Annenberg Center for Health Sciences for a two-hour program that included dinner and three short keynote presentations. Students could also participate in tabletop networking with staff from a dozen hospital departments, including public health, physical therapy, oncology/infusion and nutrition. The impactful series bringing students and professionals together continues January 14, March 18 and May 13. Kim McNulty is vice president regional strategy with OneFuture Coachella Valley and can be reached at kim@onefuturecv.org. As a physician and health coach, I regularly educate patients and clients on how the simplest habits often create the biggest changes in health. Walking is one of those habits. It’s accessible, sustainable and scientifically backed. High-quality research from the past few years proves that walking is a powerful intervention for metabolic health, fat loss, cardiovascular and cognitive health, and immune function. A 2021JAMA Network open study found that adults who walked more had significantly lower all-cause mortality, with meaningful benefit beginning around 7,000 steps per day.¬ Metabolic health may be where the benefits of walking are most pronounced. Post-meal glucose spikes contribute to insulin resistance over time. A 2023 systematic review in Sports Medicine found that short walks after meals significantly reduced glucose levels compared to inactivity.® Muscle contractions during walking help draw glucose into cells without needing as much insulin, which keeps blood sugar steadier throughout the day and reduces glucose that might otherwise be stored as fat. When done regularly, this can notably improve long-term metabolic health. Walking also has measurable effects on body composition. It increases daily energy expenditure without raising cortisol, which helps maintain muscle while supporting fat loss. A 2022 study published inNutrients shows that regular walking reduces total body and visceral fat, even without a formal workout program.¯ Walking supports cardiovascular, cognitive and immune health. A 2023 article published in the British Journal of Cardiac Nursing found that adults who walked regularly had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure than those who remained inactive, contributing to a lower risk of heart disease.° A systematic review published in 2025 in theAmerican Journal of Health Promotion suggests that structured walking programs may improve several cognitive abilities in older adults, especially executive function and memory.± Findings from a 2023 review inGeroScience show that walking positively affects immune function by changing how immune cells circulate in the body and by influencing the signals that control inflammation.² Over time, these small changes strengthen the systems that keep us healthy and independent. The most effective approach is not to cram 10,000 steps into a single session. Our bodies respond best to movement spread throughout the day. Five to ten minutes every couple hours is much more impactful than one long walk.³ Some simple strategies: Choose a daily step goal that feels realistic for your lifestyle. Add a short walk after each meal to curb blood sugar spikes, support digestion and improve mood. Create a short morning or evening routine with your partner or a friend to add consistency and fun. Look for chances to move more often rather than waiting for a large block of time. Walking may not be trendy or sexy, but it can change your life. With consistency, it’s one of the most effective tools we have for a more efficient metabolism, improved body composition and better overall health. Dr. Rachel Felber is a Coachella Valley physician and owner of Health Yourself, a company that provides online health and strength coaching and consulting to women of all ages. Rachel@HealthYourselfToday.com. References: 1) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34477847/; 2) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36715875/; 3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm. nih.gov/35276986/; 4) https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7616014/; 5) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40165427/; 6) https:// pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10643563/; 7) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40972791/ www.DesertHealthNews.com January/February 2026 Matthew Davis, lead faculty for the Desert Mirage High School Health Academy, and his students explore “Let’s Get Psyched!” In the Coachella Valley. Choose the When comparing 2024 Medicare.gov data from Coachella Valley hospitals. In an emergency, every minute matters. At Desert Care Network, we’re committed to delivering quality care – fast. With three locations in the Desert, we’re here, close to home, with the medical care you need when you need it most. And that’s just the beginning. • Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs • JFK Memorial Hospital in Indio • Hi-Desert Medical Center in Joshua Tree Walking: An Underrated Health Tool By Rachel Felber, MD
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