Dr. Ogan Gurel is walking from Chicago to Washington D.C., a distance of over 700 miles, to raise awareness about health care reform. He is collecting stories from people along the way about their experiences with health care. His goal is to advocate for reforming the system to better meet basic human needs. So far he has gathered many stories of bankruptcy, denied insurance, and people traveling overseas for medical care. He plans to present these stories to a U.S. Senator in Washington D.C. upon completing his journey on July 26th.

1. JUST OUT FOR A STROLL
GAVIN JACKSON photos • The Lima News
Dr. Ogan Gurel is walking 24 miles
a day on average, from Chicago to
Washington, D.C., to raise aware-
ness about health care reform.
Gurel walked Monday through
Beaverdam along Lincoln Highway.
Gurel is not affiliated with any
organization or group but decided
to walk and learn people’s stories
about health care.
GUREL’S PROGRESS
• www.walk4healthcare.org
• Follow on Twitter
@walk4healthcare
• Search for The Walk for
Healthcare on Facebook
• Donations can be made to
Gurel by way of his Web site.
Doc goes the extra 700 miles
By HANNAH POTURALSKI the historic Lincoln Highway on “I want to knock some sense into
hpoturalski@limanews.com foot. the situation because it’s not about
419-993-2091 The idea for The Walk for Health preserving a piece of the monetary
Care came after Gurel was shocked pie but basic human needs,” Gurel
BEAVERDAM — Dr. Ogan Gurel by self-interested statements made said.
can be found walking along Lincoln by the American Medical Associa- Gurel emphasized his walk isn’t
Highway with his iPod playing clas- tion, the American Hospital Associ- affiliated with a particular view-
sical music and an American flag ation, and insurance executives on point or political party but he just
sticking out of his backpack. the issue of health care reform. feels the status quo is unacceptable.
Gurel is taking health care reform Gurel set out June 27 from Gurel has worked as a surgeon, a
very seriously as he treks from Chicago in order to gather the voice
Chicago to Washington, D.C., along of the people. See WALK • B3

2. WALK • from B1–––––––––––––––
CEO of a medical device distort the debate,” Gurel
company, and currently is a said.
self-employed consultant. Gurel plans to arrive in
With a medical background Washington on July 26 after
and currently being unin- gathering 200 personal sto-
sured, Gurel said he can ries revolving around
talk and understand peo- health care. He said a U.S.
ple’s health care stories bet- senator has already
ter. expressed interest in meet-
“Physicians are central to ing with him.
health care and people open Gurel has gathered sto-
up to them, it also helps ries of bankruptcy, people
that I can understand their being denied insurance, and
medical condition,” Gurel people traveling overseas
said. for surgeries, among others.
With more than 460 mem- Gurel walked through
bers of his Facebook group Beaverdam Monday and
and almost 100 followers on will be traveling to Upper
Twitter, Gurel’s journey is Sandusky next. He walks 25
becoming widely known. miles a day and stays in a
He’s been meeting people at hotel every night.
hotels, bars, and truck
The past two nights,
stops, as well as along the
Gurel has stayed at the Hol-
road at houses he stops at
iday Inn in Lima. Brad Will,
for water. A group of 40 peo-
general manager of the
ple greeted him as he
hotel, has given Gurel a
entered Fort Wayne, Ind.,
complimentary stay.
last week, 35 more than
were present at his send-off “It’s a great cause and
in Chicago. Gurel also spoke good to get the word out
at a Fourth of July parade there about small-town sto-
in Van Wert. ries,” Will said. “I support
“As the walk advances any action he would take
and media attention grows I about it to help people out,
hope lawmakers will focus especially if it can help a
attention on what’s impor- friend or colleague of mine.”
tant and will ignore the self- Comment on this story at
interest of those trying to www.limaohio.com.