SAI and Indian Nurses team up to deliver a high-turnout health fair
Dr. Sujatha Reddy with officers of GINA: Executive Vice President Lilly Anickat, President Mary Jose, and Treasurer Betsy Augusthy.
(All Photos: Mahadev Desai)
Over 350 people came to the 32nd Sai Health Fair at the Atlanta Christian Assembly in Decatur, Georgia, on Saturday, June 21, 2014. Spearheaded by Dr. Sujatha Reddy, the fair was cohosted by Georgia Indian Nurses Association (GINA) and supported by Sangisetti Charitable Foundation, physicians, health care professionals, and volunteers.
Many, including elderly and disabled people, lined up as early as 7:30 am. People of diverse nationalities and cultures from all over Atlanta availed themselves of the free consultancy and tests services provided by over 22 dedicated physicians representing 13 specialties, supported by over 30 nurses and technicians and 25 volunteers who attended to the various health related concerns of the people after they registered for services, which included EKG, audiogram, body fat analysis, glaucoma screening, peripheral vascular ultrasound, bone density scan, and evaluation of and education on stroke risk factors.
Dr. Vithal Kusuma and Dr. Kavitha Gopal (gastroenterology), Dr. Vandana Niyyar (urology) from Emory University, and Dr. Indra Shah at the Sai Health Fair.
Over 150 EKGs were carried out by Gwinnett Heart Specialists and Commerce Cardiology Group of Commerce, GA. Thirty five audio screenings (10 found to be abnormal) were done by Dr. Sridhar Krishnamurthy from Auburn University, Alabama. More than 40 bone-mineral-density tests were performed by a team of Madhusudhana Reddy, Vasantha Bandari, Janet James, and Jolly Vinomon, and 60% were found to be abnormal.
Over 150 basic comprehensive chemistry profile blood tests with PSA and HbA1c were carried out at a nominal fee of $25 per test with lab work provided by American Clinical Labs of Stone Mountain and results mailed within a week.
Stroke risk factor education was provided by Joshua Dunn and Lovely Shine from Emory Stroke Center. Stroke is a leading cause of death in the U.S. Also called a brain attack, a stroke 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.
Some of the Emory University ophthalmology students (above).
Emory University School of Medicine carried out over 65 glaucoma screening tests of which 8 were referred for glaucoma follow up. Michael Rothschild, a 4th year student and president of the Ophthalmology Interest Group commented, “We are providing free glaucoma screening to members of the community. This is a really important thing because glaucoma is the number one preventable cause of blindness in the U.S., and it is easily prevented. All it takes is the knowledge and positive screening to prevent blindness. We are thrilled to participate.”
Dr. Saleem Boghani was pleased to see that many who came to him for ultrasound screening of carotid artery and abdominal aorta for atherosclerotic disease were having this scan done for the first time. Georgia Council for the Hearing Impaired (GACHI) also participated in the fair. Important nutrition tips were given by dieticians Girish and Manju Patwardhan and Bhumi Patel.
Dr.Todd Gibson, an Atlanta chiropractor and yoga practitioner rendered chiropractic care to sixteen patients who had migraine, frozen shoulder, limited spinal range of motion, vertigo, sinus congestion, and other health problems. He commended Dr. Sujatha Reddy, “I am very humbled and proud to have been invited to the Sai Health Fair this year. … [D]octors and nurses of Indian heritage can have a greater mastery of the holistic aspects of health care, because of the nature of the cultural heritage and legacy, and great examples of compassionate soul. My heartfelt thanks to Dr. Sujatha Reddy for leading by her example, embodying the qualities of Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King across the barriers of race, creed, caste, class, social status, or income. She is truly an inspiration to everyone concerned. This Fair could not have happened without the coordinated efforts of many, many volunteers.”
Physicians, nurses, and volunteers at the 32nd Sai Health Fair.
Website Bonus Feature
Thanks:
John Cherian for providing accommodation at the Atlanta Christian Assembly Hall.
Mary Jose, president of GINA, for GINA serving as cohost for the first time.
GINA for providing lunch to all the doctors, technicians, and volunteers.
Charter Anchor Hospital for snacks, fruits, and drinks for all participants.
Anjali Chhabria and Anwar Ajmeri of TV Asia and others of the media for publicity and coverage.
Presidents of several local associations for notifying their members about the Health Fair.
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