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Dr. Ed Shadid: Promoting a Sustainable OKC
As a physician, father and native of Oklahoma, Dr. Ed Shadid is passion- ate about improving the quality of life for the residents of Oklahoma City. He has worked hard for families as a physician at Spine and Pain Care of Oklahoma, a small business he opened in 2002, and considers him- self an advocate for the promotion of healthy, sustainable living. The key, he says, is being involved. He believes strongly that people are designed for interconnectedness with their community, not to be iso- lated from one another. “I have lived my life in different ways—disengaged and isolated, as well as engaged with the community and those around me,” he explains. “I realized very early that I am much happier when I’m involved and connected.” Shadid was born and raised in Oklahoma and comes from a long line of physicians that have been practicing medicine since statehood. He has an innate love of the environment and pro- tecting Oklahoma City’s neighborhoods and people. So much so that he says he want to stand up for small businesses that create jobs, help protect senior citi-
Dr. Ed Shadid and his children.
zens and to stand up with public safety to keep communities safe. “Oklahoma City ranks in the
bottom seven of nearly every adverse health statistic—including teenage pregnancy, infant mortality, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, physical inactivity, life expectancy, and even the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed,” he notes. In fact, Prevention magazine
ranked OKC number 500 out of 500 major cities in terms of walkability. Shadid attributes the bottom ranking to the fact that from 1960 to 2000, no sidewalks were built in OKC. Not one. “We have to make investments in in- frastructure, build more sidewalks and promote walkability. Our kids shouldn’t have to walk to school on the roads.” As a devoted father, it’s no surprise that Shadid has a particular concern about the health and safety of kids, both in schools and beyond. Much of that starts with food. Begin- ning the day with flavored milk and doughnuts, for instance, is not condu- cive to children’s education. Shadid envisions a centralized kitchen that
42 Greater Oklahoma/OKC Edition |
www.NaturalAwakeningsOKC.com
provided healthy food, cooked daily and distributed to schools. Community gardens are also a
great way to get healthy foods to the populous, in an affordable manner. By creating community gardens— and zoning for urban gardens, urban chickens, etc—people, and kids, have a vested interest in the food they are growing. “Kids especially are more likely to eat fruits and vegetables if they have had a hand in growing them.” He encourages residents buy fresh and eat local. By eating at a local res- taurant, not a big corporate franchise, money stays in the area. He says it’s better for the business owner and better for the community as a whole. Although much can be done
to improve the city’s neighborhoods and public services, Dr. Shadid says he stands ready to take them on by encouraging healthy lifestyles, promot- ing sustainable activities and moving toward future opportunities for the city.
To contact Dr. Ed Shadid, please call 405-748-0133.
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