American Telugu Association sponsors the 38th SAI Health Fair
Dr. Trushna Rao and Dr. Supriti Balyan in a yoga session.
American Telugu Association (ATA) and SAI Health Fair in coordination with Georgia Indian Nurses Association (GINA) hosted the 38th SAI Health Fair at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale, Georgia, on Saturday, October 14, 2017. The Health Fair elicited a good response with an attendance of over 200 participants. Organized by Dr. Sujatha Reddy as a tribute to the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and also to promote his and Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophies of nonviolence, community service, and social justice, this event was sponsored by American Telugu Association.
The Fairs are open to all. Free consultations were given by over 15 dedicated physicians representing 9 specialties, supported by nurses and service-oriented volunteers. The atmosphere is always cheerful, courteous, and relaxed. The banquet hall held registration, triage, bloodwork, stroke risk factor education, and information and advice on mammogram; bone density tests, yoga, EKGs, audio screening, medication education, and free consultations in cardiology, internal medicine, orthopedics, ENT, dentistry, pulmonary, dermatology and rheumatology were provided in upstairs hall and rooms.
GINA’s past President Ms. Mary Jose, Jigisha Patel, 7 GINA nurses, and a student volunteer helped with triage and stroke education.
Southern Regional Medical Center's radiology manager Elizabeth King and mammographer Pam Garner gave out informational material and advice on breast cancer and mammograms.
Stroke Risk Factor education was provided by GINA President Vidya Kanagaraj. Stroke is a leading cause of death in the U.S. It occurs when a clot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Time is critical in preventing long term damage so the patient must be taken to the hospital immediately.
Over 95 EKGs were carried out by Dr. Subramanyam Bhat’s office and Emory Southern Heart Specialists. Over 40 audio screenings were done by Dr. Sridhar Krishnamurthy, Girish Enterprises, of Auburn, Alabama.
Bone Mineral Density screening tests for osteopenia and osteoporosis were in big demand. More than 37 bone-density tests were performed by a team of Madhusudhana Reddy and Akash, under the supervision of Dr. Sujatha Reddy.
Over 155 cost-effective, basic quality comprehensive chemistry profile blood tests with HBA1c were carried out at a nominal fee of $30 per test. The lab work was provided by Symed LLC in Tucker. Results are mailed within a week! Test results help identify some life threatening results which are immediately notified to the participants.
Medical specialists Dr. Subramanyam Bhat and Dr. Annapurna Bhat, Dr. Raju Vanapalli, Dr. Tulasi Vanapalli, Dr. Syamala Erramilli, Dr. Jay Sampat, Dr. Hymavati Mikkilineni, Dr. Supriti Balyan, Dr. Sridhar Krishnamurthy, Dr. Raja Reddy, Dr. Devendra Koganti, and Dr. Rao Nadig to name a few, gave free consultations.
ENT surgeon Dr. Trushna Rao Nadig enthusiastically conducted yoga sessions for the visitors.
Dr. Sundak Ganesan, a health scientist at Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave out informative material in different languages, e.g. Hindi, Gujarati, and English. Pharmacist Dr. Sabina Kurian educated patients about medication safety, smoking cessation, nutrition, proper antibiotic use, diabetes, allergies, etc. Life South’s bloodmobile in the parking lot collected 16 units of blood.
American Telugu Association (ATA) President Karunakar Asireddy said “ATA has organized many successful Health Fairs in various cities in the U.S. Furthermore, physicians from U.S., ATA president-elect Parmesh Bheemreddy, various ATA standing committee chairs, Co-Chairs, and ATA volunteers will be in India in December to kick off the ATA SEVA days and also help in conducting about 10 health camps, eye camps, education/immigration seminars, and 10k/5k walks, in both Telugu speaking states.
Thanks:
American Telugu Association (ATA) President Karunakar Asireddy along with Kiran Pasham, Anil Boddireddy, and Venu Pisike thanked Dr. Sujatha Reddy, GINA team, ATA regional Coordinators, Prashanth P, Sriram S, ATA Health Committee Co-Chair Ramana Reddy, Siva Kumar Ramadugu, Sridhar T, and other doctors who volunteered for such a noble cause.
Snacks, fruits, and drinks were provided to all the participants by Crescent Pines Hospital, Stockbridge and American Telugu Association also provided lunch to all doctors, nurses, technicians, and volunteers.
Health Fair event publicity coverage was carried by Khabar magazine, India Tribune, Nripulse, wownow.com, RashtraDarpan, Desi-Express, and Atlantadunia; Mahadev Desai did the press coverage and digital photography.
Dr. Sujatha Reddy thanked American Telugu Association (ATA), GINA, all the doctors, nurses, technicians, and volunteers for their tireless efforts, for making the Health Fair event a grand success. “I’m glad to see so many people, from all walks of life, come to avail the opportunity to get free screenings and consultations with medical specialists. We have been hosting Health Fairs for a long time in different venues and they have been successful every time. I also wish to thank Hindu Temple for providing the accommodation and help in staging the Health Fair.”
[The article above is a Website Bonus Feature, appearing only on the website for December 2017, not in the print/digital issues.]
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