Wayne Memorial Hospital will focus on diabetes at health fair
By From staff reports
Published in News on November 14, 2012 1:46 PM
Four area physicians and 24 vendors will participate in a health fair at Wayne Memorial Hospital on Nov. 20 to provide free screenings and information on ways to help manage and prevent diabetes.
The health fair will be held on the ground floor of the hospital in the auditorium area. It starts at 4 p.m., with doctor presentations taking place in the auditorium at 6. There will also be a question and answer session following the physicians' remarks.
The event is free and open to the public.
Seating for the physicians' presentation is limited and advance registration is requested by emailing registration@waynehealth.org or calling 919-731-6299 and providing name, address and phone number.
Participants include Dr. Alfred Okeke, endocrinologist with Wayne Health Medical Clinic; Dr. Dimitrios Lintzeris, certified wound specialist, medical director of the Wound Care Center at the hospital; Dr. Waheed Akhtar, cardiologist with Wake Heart and Vascular; and Dr. Michael Willman, ophthalmologist with Waynesborough Ophthalmology.
Diabetes risk assessments as well as vision, foot, gait and blood sugar screenings will be offered.
Refreshments will be served and there will be drawings for door prizes. Diabeta-BINGO, a popular activity at WADEC, Wayne Area Diabetes Education Center, will also be part of the event, with prizes that include a Thanksgiving turkey.
Vendors on site will include 3HC, Amylin, Animas, Bayer, Carolina Diabetic Supply, Derma Sciences, Gentiva, Goldsboro Family Y, LifeScan, Merck, Novo Nordisk, OmniPod (Insulet), Organogenesis Inc., Professional Orthotics, Roche, Sanofi, Southeastern Medical Supplies, Spectranetics, WADEC, Wayne County Diabetes Support Group, Wayne Health Physicians, Wayne Memorial Hospital Rehab Department, Wayne Memorial Hospital Wound Care Center and Wayne Pharmacy.
Organizers and hospital officials said the event is an opportunity for the public to learn more about diabetes and prediabetes, which affect increasing numbers of adults and children.
People with uncontrolled diabetes are at significantly greater risk to develop complications, which may lead to cardiovascular disease, blindness, lower extremity amputations and renal disease. Diabetes is becoming more prevalent in eastern North Carolina, and Wayne County has one of the highest rates in the state.
"At Wayne Memorial Hospital, we want to emphasize that making simple, easy changes in diet and exercise can help you prevent diabetes, or help you manage it if you already have it," said Shelby Ostendorf, program director for diabetes education at the hospital. "This health fair is intended to support those individuals already dealing with diabetes, screen those individuals who are at risk for diabetes, and educate the community as a whole."