Support letter from Peter D’Adamo for Walk USA for Health Equity!

Redding, CT
December 25, 2025
Dr. Dennis Godby, ND, is a physician renowned for his inspiring long-distance walks, using this unique platform to educate the public about access to mental health services, clean drinking water, food deserts and the importance of nutrition and exercise. The most recent leg of his cross-country journey, from Fargo, ND to Bozeman, Montana –a jaunt of 745 miles, was completed in September. The final segment of Walk USA for Health Equity journey, Bozeman to Seattle, will take place in the summer of 2026, August 24-September 24. I hope you can join Dennis and others, somewhere along the route, or be able to help in other ways.

As Dennis put it, ‘Every person in this country deserves to have an equal opportunity to be healthy, and we need to remove the obstacles to heal.’ In addition to informing the public on many important health, lifestyle and community issues, Dennis has also become an important emissary for our medicine, demonstrating that doctoring can occur in many places and ways.

I write this note to celebrate Dennis, but also in the hope that my naturopathic colleagues who are aware of this unique occurrence will support the walk by hosting gatherings intended to build momentum, and deepen public understanding of the potential of naturopathic medicine to help create a more health equitable nation where every American has a fair and just opportunity to be optimally healthy.

Dennis hopes that with this walk, more people, particularly students, will feel inspired to pursue naturopathic medicine, and current ND students and NDs will walk with him the last mile in Seattle from City Hall to the Waterfront to show support for health equity on September 24.

Unfortunately, Martha and I find ourselves several thousand miles away on the East Coast. Thus, we can only provide financial support, which we gladly give. I’ve also asked several of the corporations I am involved consider supporting the walk in a similar manner.

Please consider joining with Dennis in this rare opportunity to bring naturopathic medicine directly to the hearts and minds of the general public. I’ve included contact information at the bottom of this note and hope you will work together with Dennis to make this event as inspiring as is the heart and soul of the man who dared to make it happen.


Peter J. D’Adamo, ND
Distinguished Professor of Clinical Medicine
University of Bridgeport (Retired)


I am sending my unqualified support for the “Walk USA for Health Equity” and my colleague Dr. Dennis Godby.

This five-year project has included Dr. Godby walking across the US, educating people and organizing for health equity (in the true spirit of ‘Docere’ or “Doctor as Teacher”) and the obstacles we face. Naturopathic Doctors attempt to find and treat the cause of dis-ease, and health equity finds the causes of health disparities, and removes the obstacles to cure, such as, poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to core services.

With all the uncertainty in the world today, helping the underserved, often as a result of implicit biases, is a way to support the most in need, make a positive impact on humans, and also, help lift up all boats. Lisa Cooper, MD, asked in her book title, “Why Are Health Disparities Everyone’s Problem.”

I encourage every Naturopathic Doctor across the USA to support the last leg of Walk USA for Health Equity, Bozeman, MT to Seattle, WA, 2026, in every way that you can to help build the movement for a healthier and more just nation, and put NDs on the side of fairness and equity.

Our best to Dr. Godby and “The Walk” as you continue your work, and we continue our support for the work!


Paul S. Anderson, ND

As Dr. Dennis Godby prepares for the last leg of his journey, I would like to encourage all of us to offer some form of support for this extremely worthy and relevant cause of walking across the country for the sake of health equity.

Walking cross-country is a unique and challenging way of addressing this overlooked issue and tries to bring attention to the injustice that is experienced by so many of our fellow brothers and sisters in our country.

Each of us can assist Dr. Dennis in his effort in a big or a small way. Each of us have different gifts and resources available to us. Each of us has something to offer that can help fuel Dr. Dennis’ resolve and bolster his strength and perseverance.

He is literally walking the talk, not just talking the talk. Maybe we could consider talking it up and even walking beside him for a little while or just giving him a call or message along the way. Yes, even praying for his safety, health, and endurance can be empowering.

His commitment to peace and justice has been inspiring to me, and I hope that it continues to touch the hearts and minds of many of us.

“The miracle won’t be that he was able to finish. The miracle is that he had the courage to start.” – John Bingham.

You’ve got this, Dr. D!


Joe Rodrigues, SDS, Vicar General, Society of Divine Savior

Health equity is one of the defining moral and public-health imperatives of our time. At its core, it means that every person—regardless of their race, ZIP code, income, education, identity, or background—should have a fair and just opportunity to be as healthy as possible. While this sounds simple, the reality is far more complex: invisible barriers quietly shape people’s lives long before they enter a clinic.

Many people know that health inequities exist, but far fewer realize how deeply woven they are into the fabric of daily life:

• Access to clean air varies dramatically by neighborhood. Communities closer to highways or industrial zones—often lower-income or minority communities—have higher asthma rates, decreased lung capacity, and even reduced life expectancy.

• Maternal mortality in the U.S. is disproportionately high for Black women—even when controlling for education and income. The disparities cannot be explained by genetics; they reflect systemic gaps, chronic stress, and historical inequities.

• Food deserts and the lack of safe green spaces shape obesity, diabetes, and heart-disease risk long before someone is even aware they are at risk.

• Access to life-saving medications like insulin or EpiPens can vary by state, insurance type, or even local pharmacy availability—barriers that most people never see unless they face them personally.

What many don’t realize is this: health inequity hurts all of us. When large segments of a population are sicker, poorer, or more burdened by preventable disease, society absorbs that cost—economically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. A community is only as strong as the opportunities it creates for its most vulnerable members.

This is why the work of Dr. Dennis Godby matters so profoundly.

⸻

Walking Across America for a Just and Healthy Future

My friend and colleague, Dr. Dennis Godby, ND, is walking across the United States to shine a light on health equity—one step, one conversation, and one community at a time. His walk is not just symbolic; it is an act of witness, a statement that the medical community must not merely treat disease but also confront the structures that make health unevenly distributed across our country.

I had the honor of supporting Dennis during the first leg of the walk in North Carolina, and now—three to four years later—we are approaching Leg 5. From that early beginning, what truly felt like a mustard seed planted on the sands of Myrtle Beach has now grown into a movement involving communities, physicians, students, and supporters across the nation. We followed through on our commitment, and the momentum has only grown.

Along the way, countless local and national media outlets have highlighted the walk, sharing Dennis’s message that every person deserves the chance to thrive. With each story published, more people learn how health equity shapes their own lives and the lives of those around them. And with each story, the movement expands.

Keoni Teta, ND, Winston-Salem, North Carolina

In September I had the honor to host Dr. Dennis Godby for a night in Indiana during his inspiring Walk USA for Health Equity journey from Knoxville, TN, to Milwaukee, WI. This remarkable initiative is not just a walk; it’s a profound mission to raise awareness about the prevailing health inequalities in the United States. Dr. Godby is not only a passionate advocate for health equity but also a dedicated proponent of naturopathic medicine, aiming to increase awareness and accessibility across the nation.

Hosting Dr. Godby became more than just providing shelter for a night; it became an opportunity to be part of a movement that seeks to transform the health landscape of our nation. I hope I am able to do more to support the next legs of his journey!

As he walked, he carried not only a backpack but also a message of hope, advocating for a future where everyone has equal access to healthcare. And, his commitment to including the message of naturopathic medicine is both enlightening and inspiring.

I am grateful to have been a small part of the Walk USA for Health Equity initiative by hosting Dr. Dennis Godby. It was a privilege to witness firsthand the passion and resilience of someone dedicated to creating positive change. I wholeheartedly support this cause and believe that Dr. Godby’s journey is a beacon of light, illuminating the path towards a healthier, more equitable future for all Americans.

Dr. Amy Tweedle, ND, Fishers, Indiana

Dr. Dennis Godby, an author and champion for health equity and access for all, stands out amongst leaders of similar pursuits. Putting his steps where his heart lies, he takes great care and effort to be vocal for his cause – a healthier future for everyone. Dr. Godby has been giving, resourceful, and steadfast toward our shared goals. His selfless sharing of naturopathic education has enriched our endeavors, and the community-at-large. We’re cheering you on, Dr. Godby, on your Walk USA for Health Equity – a massive feat to raise awareness of inconsistencies in health care and access, and for better global health. Thank you for your partnership and care for those in need.

Kristene (K.N.) Smith, CEO
Mental Health California

Dr. Dennis Godby, ND leads with his heart. He sees injustices in the world and literally takes concrete steps to end them. With his project Walk USA For Health Equity, Dennis has embarked on an ambitious challenge to walk the entire breadth of the US bringing attention to the disparities in our healthcare system. Luckily, with a quick smile and uninterrupted friendliness, Dennis is finding many along his route to share in his progress and to help support a change to bring equity for all.

As a skilled healthcare provider and educator, Dennis is a captivating spokesperson to bring diverse communities together to help solve this problem. I urge all of my colleagues, and anyone interested in health equity to check out Walk USA for Health Equity. You can become part of the discussion, take steps in your own local communities, and lend support to those making change.

I am personally honored to have been a part of Walk USA For Health Equity and to have had the chance to host Dennis while he was in NC.

-Dr. Tamberlyn Blinsink, ND, MPH

Dr. Dennis Godby is a health equity advocate and social justice warrior who is committed to creating a better world. Fueled by an understanding of the long-standing disparities in the social determinants of health, Dr. Godby has worked tirelessly over the years to close these gaps so that all people can have access to a better quality of life. His passion for healthy living is evident in all he has done throughout his life, including various runs and walks across the USA, spreading awareness about the importance of naturopathic medicine, and later for health equity. He is more than a thought leader in these areas—he is a “do-er,” seeking to change the narrative about who deserves to be well. His care for humanity is evident in all that he does, both personally and professionally, and it speaks to the depth of his character and the profound compassion that emanates from his heart. Dr. Godby is an incredible inspiration, and our world is brighter because of his presence in it.

—Shacunda Rodgers, Ph.D. Licensed Clinical Psychologist

Fundamental to naturopathic medicine is a simple yet profound concept: when you give the body what it needs- fresh air, clean water and food, exercise and healthy relationships, and take away what it doesn’t need— toxicity, the body/mind/spirit thrives. In naturopathic medical school, we budding doctors learned to understand this concept deeply. It was essential to learn how to apply this to our own lives in order to survive the rigors of medical school. In the early 2000s, studied alongside Dr. Godby and marveled at his commitment to his own health. He was the only person in our class that rose way before dawn to deliver newspapers, at a run, before our 7:30 anatomy class! Every day, day in day out, Dr. Godby ran, every morning. I came to learn that running, for a humanistic cause, is woven into the fabric of Dr. Godby’s soul. Over his lifetime, Dr. Godby has run/walked long distances to bring awareness to many social causes. Most recently, I joined him for a walking leg in Wisconsin to raise awareness of inequity in health care. While NDs understand the need for healthy living, there are many social and racial obstacles that interfere with a person’s ability to actualize health. Dr. Godby walks to spread this awareness, and powerful message, to do what you can, one person at a time, to improve the lives of others. Dr Godby is a person who truly, walks his talk.

—Allison Becker, ND, LAc, Evansville, Wisconsin

It was quite amazing to meet Dr. Godby in Chicago and to hear his passion behind the walk. It is a refreshing way to make a statement and bring attention to what matters the most in our public healthcare space. I will definitely continue to cheer him on as he embarks on this extraordinary solo walkathon simply to bring awareness to average Americans about the “Health Equity” messaging across the USA.

Yes, I agree that everyone should have a fair and just opportunity, access, and resource to attain their highest level of health. Thanks for making a stand.

—Dr. Sunhee Williams, ND LAc FABNO; Chicago, IL

On September 16, 2023, Dr. Godby arrived in Lafayette, Indiana, on his way from Knoxville, Tennessee to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I was able to accompany him for the last few miles of his walk that day through Lafayette and across the Wabash River to West Lafayette. It was most enjoyable visiting with him along the way and getting to know more about health equity. He was able to speak with a few people in the community along the way and share his story. In the evening, some members of the Lafayette Rotary Club came to share a meal and speak with him about his walk. All of the members enjoyed getting to know him and to focus on this important issue. It was a very positive experience to support Dr. Godby by providing a meal and a place to stay. We wish him safe travels and success as he continues his walk across the USA.

—Renee Figueroa, Lafayette, IN

Hello Rotarians: After volunteering to host Dennis when he arrived at Valpo I began to have second thoughts. Should I have done this? Shortly after he put his pack in the back of my SUV and he crawled into the passenger seat, wet as he had been walking in the rain, and began our first of many conversations, I knew I had done the right thing. He is such an interesting person. He closed his medical practice each year and then continues his walk across the country for a month. WOW! Pretty impressive that he has done all this pre-planning on where he will be each night and what his next destination will be. I encourage Rotarians who are fortunate to have him stop in your community to greet him upon his arrival, house and feed him, and get him underway the next morning. You won’t regret it!

—Bill Steinbrecher, Valparaiso, IN