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(Pictured L-R)
Dr. Meyers, Medical Director, Mercy Primary Care Center,
Aiisya Williamson, Executive Director, Mercy Primary Care Center,
Patrick Wardle, Operations Manager, Samaritan Center,
Congresswoman Carolyn C. Kilpatrick,
Duron Marshall, District Director for Hon. Carolyn C. Kilpatrick |
Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick hosted a diabetes awareness fair on November 13, 2007 at the Samaritan Center. The event raised awareness about diabetes to encourage individuals to be screened and tested. The goal was to promote and educate individuals and families on the proper management and prevention of this disease.
“Diabetes affects adults and increasing numbers of children in our community,” Kilpatrick said. “This event is designed to provide people with access to information and resources that can help them reduce their risk of getting diabetes or manage the disease if they already have it.”
Dr. Margaret Meyers, Mercy Primary Care Center Medical Director, addressed the crowd educating attendees on the value of managing this disease state. “Approximately 22% of our patient population has developed this chronic disease. We educate our patients on how to manage their diabetes and the benefits associated with self-management. A drop in Hemoglobin A1C by 1.0-percentage points significantly reduces an individual’s risk and complications associated with diabetes. Through self-monitoring and careful evaluation, the disease is very manageable and the results worth living for.”
“Regular check-ups and exams are the best ways to determine risk for developing diabetes. Early detection and treatment are vital to preventing or delaying the onset of diabetes or its complications,” Kilpatrick said. “I invite everyone in Michigan’s 13th Congressional District to use this event as an opportunity to determine what steps we and our families and friends can take to live long, healthy lives. By working together, we can build healthier families and stronger communities.”
Mercy Primary Care Center (MPCC) is collaborating with other local agencies on the Improving Diabetic Patient Outcomes for the Uninsured with an Emphasis on Self-Management program to improve health outcomes for uninsured diabetic patients. The two major thrusts of the program are engaging the patient in the management of their care and providing access to recommended diabetic treatment to the uninsured. As of November 2007, 186 patients have been enrolled in the program. The program has yielded a 0.72 percentage point change reduction in hemoglobin A1C levels, which correlates to approximately a 14% decrease in mortality/risk of complications. Ultimately, through controlling their blood sugar, patients will avoid diabetes-related complications such as amputation, blindness, stroke, kidney failure, and heart attack, as well as improve their overall health status.
Mercy Primary Care Center was one of several vendors who attended the fair. Kristen Gebhard, Mercy Primary Care Center Diabetes Educator provided nutritional information to the attendees and shared her own personal management of diabetes.
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