For National Volunteer Week, April 19-25, 2026, we are highlighting some of the incredible volunteers for the Physicians CareConnection (PCC) who are essential to their mission to support the most vulnerable in our community.  

Edward R. Sargent, MD, FACP, is board certified in internal medicine. After practicing in San Antonio, Texas, for 40 years, he retired in 2022 and moved to Ohio to be closer to family. As a retired physician member of the Columbus Medical Association, he began volunteering with PCC earlier this year. 

What inspired you to volunteer? 

I have always enjoyed patient care and have missed the interaction with patients since I retired. I feel being a physician has been a privilege, and I have been thankful to have had such a fulfilling career. While in practice, I also was on the clinical faculty at the University of Texas and enjoyed teaching students and residents. Volunteering at PCC has given me the chance to resume the practice of medicine, teach students and residents and give back to the community I live in. 

Why do you think PCC is important for the community? 

PCC is important to the community because it provides a place for individuals to receive ongoing health care and wellness treatment that would other wise not be available to a large number of people in this community. Every day I have spent there has been a meaningful experience. It is so rewarding to be able to help individuals that need access to a health care system. I have met many people from different cultures which I find fascinating, and one of the best parts of primary care is getting to know patients as individuals. When volunteering, you learn a different perspective about life and individuals’ struggles and needs. 

What would you say to someone considering volunteering for PCC? 

If you are considering volunteering at PCC, there are many opportunities for students interested in health care as a career. There are opportunities for a medical professional to continue providing care as well as potential teaching opportunities. 

When you’re not volunteering, how do you spend your time? 

I moved to Ohio two years ago with my wife of 50 years. We love the Midwest and Columbus. I spend my time with family and friends. I enjoy almost all outdoor activities and spend a good deal of my time reading. 

Dedicated volunteers are vital to PCC’s life-saving work, and more health care providers are needed. We are seeking physician volunteers to help us meet the growing demand for comprehensive healthcare services and ensure that more people in our community have access to the care they need and deserve. Click here to learn more.

CMA Member David Sabgir, MD is a cardiologist in Columbus. More than 20 years ago, he was inspired to launch the Walk with a Doc program that now has more than 500 chapters across 48 states and 40 countries. Last year, he launched a new endeavor -- Read with a Doc in collaboration with the Columbus Medical Association and the AMA Alliance. Find out more about Dr. Sabgir and why he believes these programs are essential for physicians and the community. 

What inspired you to pursue a career in medicine?
My Uncle Mike was the only practicing physician in the family, a cardiologist at Houston Methodist. There was just something about the way he carried himself that completely drew me in. He made medicine feel like a calling and that stuck with me early on.

What brought you to Columbus, and what do you enjoy most about practicing here?
My wife and I were both born and raised here; she is from Westerville, and I'm from Worthington, so Columbus has always been home. We still have family here, which means a lot to us. What I enjoy most is the patient population and the incredible teammates I get to work alongside every day. It really feels like a community.

What are your areas of clinical/professional interest?
Preventive medicine is where my heart is. I love spending time with patients and focusing on what we can do before illness takes hold, building health rather than just reacting to disease.

What led you to launch Walk with a Doc? What do you think is its biggest impact?
I believe consistent physical activity is the single greatest thing any of us can do for our health. Walk with a Doc came out of a real frustration. I was failing to inspire my patients to increase their activity level. One day in late 2004, I wanted the patient to have to say ‘no’ to my face. I asked, “Will you meet my family and me at the park to walk?” and that changed everything.

I believe the biggest impact has been breaking down the doctor-patient barrier. When that wall comes down, something powerful happens. We get back to a human connection between physicians and the communities we serve, and from there it's off to the races.

Why did you decide to launch Read with a Doc?
Read with a Doc is essentially a physician-led book club, but it really sits at the intersection of four things I care deeply about. Books that can truly change lives, libraries and all the resources they offer, communities that are hungry for connection and meaningful information, and physicians who want to do more for their patients than a 20-minute visit allows. The responses to our three pilot programs (with Westerville Public Library) in 2025 showed us that we were on to something.

Why is it important for physicians to connect with the community outside the office or hospital?
My experience is that when I step outside the clinic, I get a much clearer picture of my patients’ real lives, what makes health possible, and what gets in the way. That perspective leads to care that is more practical and more effective. It also builds trust and helps us reach people who might never walk through our doors. Ultimately, it shifts medicine from treating illness to actually creating health.

What is one thing you would like your colleagues to know about you or your work?
Everything I do is grounded in a simple belief that health is built in everyday life, not just in exam rooms. We have a unique opportunity to show up in our communities, and when we do, we're not just educating, we are connecting. To me, it is that connection that often drives real and lasting change. I also hear from our Walk with a Doc leaders all the time that it changes them too. Even hosting one walk a year can create a real sense of purpose.

What is your favorite restaurant in Columbus?
This is the toughest question on the list because there are so many great options. I tend to gravitate toward places with live music. For a quieter night, I really enjoy the vibe at Asterisk Supper Club in Westerville or Giuseppe’s Ritrovo in Bexley.

When you are not working, how do you like to spend your free time?
Time with my wife and close friends is priority one. If we can be together for a run, bike ride, or hike, even better. And our two dogs keep things interesting when we are not out exploring.

What is a fun fact about you that people might not know?
For more than 20 years, I have been writing a lighthearted Friday morning newsletter with our team (Rachael Habash and Bryan Romey) that has become a bit of a gathering place for the Walk with a Doc community. It started small and just kept going. We have a lot of fun with it.

If you could have dinner with any historical or medical figure, who would it be and why?
I would choose Martin Luther King Jr. He had a rare ability to take a complex and deeply rooted problem and turn it into a simple, actionable idea that people could rally around. His approach to consistent community engagement leading to lasting cultural and systemic change really resonates with me. I would have a thousand questions for him.

To learn more about Walk with a Doc and get involved, go to the Columbus page on their website or email bryan@walkwithadoc.org. Watch the CMA Newsletter for updates on what's next for Read with a Doc.