The third annual Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine's Public Health Walk was held on August 8, 2016. Lead by Associate Dean for Community and Culture Dave Trinkle, M.D., the walking tour took first-year medical students around Roanoke to see how environmental factors can affect the community's health. The tour visited various stations where city planners, developers, public works staff, and neighborhood and cultural activists discussed ways we can improve our environment, which will ultimately improve our health.

Participants in the Public Health Walking Tour stop at Carilion Clinic's Healing Arts Garden
Participants in the Public Health Walking Tour stop at Carilion Clinic's Healing Arts Garden along the Roanoke River Greenway to listen to Liz Belcher, coordinator of the Roanoke Greenways and Aaron Boush, Carilion's community outreach manager.
Sol Moon (black shirt) and Nicholas Homsy (right) lead other members
Sol Moon (black shirt) and Nicholas Homsy (right) lead other members of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine's Class of 2020 on the Public Health Walking Tour.
The area where they are walking was once part of a "brownfield," comprised of a scrap metal yard and other industrial businesses.
The third annual Public Health Walking Tour makes it way towards the Roanoke Greenway. The area where they are walking was once part of a "brownfield," comprised of a scrap metal yard and other industrial businesses.

Scenes from the Public Health Walk for the Class of 2020 of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. (David Hungate for VTCSOM)

Public Health walk participants walking over the Jefferson Street bridge with the school in the background.
Participants in the third annual Public Health Walk make their way back to the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. Here, they walk over the Jefferson Street bridge with the school in the background.

Scenes from the Public Health Walk for the Class of 2020 of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. (David Hungate for VTCSOM)

First-year medical students walk along the Roanoke River Greenway during the third annual Public Health Walk.
First-year medical students walk along the Roanoke River Greenway during the third annual Public Health Walk.
Dave Trinkle, M.D. and Associate Professor of Practice in Public Health at Virginia Tech Susan Marmagas
Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine's Associate Dean for Community and Culture Dave Trinkle, M.D. and Associate Professor of Practice in Public Health at Virginia Tech Susan Marmagas conduct the Public Health Walk.
An aerial view of the tour as it makes its way along the Roanoke River Greenway.
An aerial view of the Class of 2020 of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine as they participate in the annual Public Health Walking Tour. Here, the tour makes its way along the Roanoke River Greenway.
First-year medical students listen to Fran Ferguson of the Virginia Museum of Transportation who discusses how the railroad industry affected life and health in the Roanoke Valley.
First-year medical students listen to Fran Ferguson of the Virginia Museum of Transportation who discusses how the railroad industry affected life and health in the Roanoke Valley.
First-year medical student Steve Qian takes a photo
First-year medical student Steve Qian takes a photo while participating in the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine's annual Public Health Walking Tour. As part of the tour, students were encouraged to take photos that will be included in the school's next art show titled, "Our Valley: A Healthy Place to Live?"
Allison Blanton, executive director of the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation speaks to students about the restored Virginia Railways depot in Roanoke.
Allison Blanton, executive director of the Roanoke Valley Preservation Foundation speaks to students about the restored Virginia Railways depot in Roanoke. The depot had been neglected for decades and has recently been reopened after a multi-year restoration.
Participants in the 2016 Public Health Walk sponsored by the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.
Participants in the 2016 Public Health Walk sponsored by the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine.