The trip approaches!

In a few weeks I will be touching down at home, ready to start another week long diabetes mission trip with my colleagues. Like last year, I am grateful to be a part of the Patsy Douglas Youth Empowerment Diabetes Initiative medical mission to St.Vincent and the Grenadines. It will be great to see those of you we met last year! And we look forward to seeing many, many more of you this year.{{more}}

The clinic visits will take place at the Diabetes clinics in Georgetown, Mespo, Layou and Bequia. If you normally attend any of these Diabetes clinics, please ask your staff there about our planned visit, in regard to how it may benefit you personally. Special emphasis is going to be placed on patients who have had amputations, given that a member of our team is a rehabilitation specialist who works with amputees on a regular basis. Her knowledge and experience will be invaluable on this mission, so please be sure to come out to clinic if you have special questions for her.

The other members of our group are nurses, nurse practitioners (one of whom is a certified diabetes educator) and me. We will be focusing on foot exams and examinations for neuropathy etc, but also strongly placing emphasis on education and answering your questions. That’s the main reason for us being there! PLEASE come on out and bring your list of questions. Diabetes is a disease where knowledge can truly, totally change the course of the entire process so it is always in your best interest to learn more about it.

Similar to last year, we will also bring diabetic supplies to clinic, all of which will be distributed to diabetic patients. Supplies are limited, but we hope to provide as much as we can. In addition there will be some blood testing done to determine A1C levels in patients who have not had labs done for some time.

The big change from last year will be the inclusion of a Health fair at the Peace Memorial Hall on Friday, March 25, held in concert with the Diabetes and Hypertension group. This is for everyone! Diabetic or non-diabetic, anyone with questions, anyone who wants answers and some information. We will be doing screening on blood sugars, blood pressure and possibly cholesterol (still to be determined).

Further details of the health fair are still to come in future, so stay tuned!

Anita Ramsetty, MD endodocs@endocrinehelp.com
Medical Director Endocrine Care Group
www.endocrinehelp.com
Tel: 843-798-4227