Over 300 people attended the 28th SAI Health Fair, held at the
Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale, Georgia, on Saturday, April
14. The Health Fair, as always, was spearheaded by well-known
physician, Dr. Sujatha Reddy as a tribute to the life and legacy
of Dr.Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mahatma Gandhi and also to
promote their philosophies of Non-violence, community selfless
service and Social justice. The event was strongly supported by
Muthalamada Sneham Charities, physicians, health care
professionals and volunteers.
People of diverse nationalities and cultures from all over
Atlanta availed themselves of the free consultancy and tests
services
 |
|
Mercer Univ.’s Lindsay Malphrus,Denise Ross,
Lauren Puls and Marjorie Sen. |
|
provided by over 30 dedicated physicians representing
13 specialties,6 phlebotomists, and over 35 service-oriented
volunteers including from Mercer University and Emory Medical
School, who attended to the various health related concerns of
the people after they registered for blood tests, free EKGs;
free glaucoma and vision screenings; preventive Cardiology
tests, free Bone Density tests to detect osteoporosis and free
Consultancy in, dermatology, orthopedics, dentistry; family
practice, Internal Medicine, Cardiology, psychiatry
gastroenterology, , ophthalmology, chiropractic medicine
,physical therapy, chronic pain, Gynecology, and Physical Rehab
Medicine.
Many, including elderly and disabled people, lined-up as early
as 7.00 a.m. The spacious and well- lighted hall had neatly laid
out tables, and comfortable seating arrangements for the
attendees. The physicians, nurses and volunteers treated all
with cheerfulness, courtesy and dignity and in a relaxed manner.
Over 149 EKGs were carried out by Southern Heart Specialists,
Riverdale, Georgia and Commerce Cardiology
Group,Commerce,GA,(EKG-women).
Over 58 vision and Glaucoma screening tests, were done by
Dr.Megan Scott and her staff from Emory University. In her
appreciatory comments Dr.Megan said “ The health fair was a
wonderful opportunity for those of us in the Student Sight
Savers program. The staff and patients were all extremely kind,
patient, and grateful. We could not have expected a more
successful event and look forward to participating in the SAI
health fair in the future. Thank you so much for having us. “
Marjorie Sen who was with a team of Pharmacy students from
Mercer University, commented, “ Most of us are members of the
American Pharmacy Association's Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP)
and some of us are members of the pharmacy honor society Rho Chi
(I am in both and I am chair of APhA's GenerationRx Committee).
 |
|
Emory Univ.’s Dr.Megan Scott with her
team. |
We helped with taking blood pressure and performing triage as
well as educating patients about medication safety, smoking
cessation, nutrition, proper antibiotic use (Rho Chi's Get Smart
program with the CDC), We also answered patients' questions
about their diabetes, allergy, etc.
I really enjoyed the health fair! I thought it was very well
organized and very comprehensive. I like how patients were
followed through, from the lab values to the follow-up with
medical professionals who could help them interpret their
results and see what was needed. This made for great patient
care. It was my favorite health fair that I participated in this
year! I hope to come back and volunteer again with my school. “
And Lindsay commented,”The experience has been really rewarding.
It is an opportunity to incorporate lot of our drug knowledge
and therapeutic knowledge and apply it to the patients here
according to what they are getting done and what health issues
they have. We appreciate the opportunity to integrate that
knowledge and interact with the community.”
45 audio screenings were done by Dr.Sridhar Krishnamurthy.Bone
Mineral Density screening tests were in big demand More than 40
bone-density tests, were performed by a team of Madhusudhana
Siddagunta, Dr.Haritha Katam and Mrs.Uma Ponangi. Out of forty,
twenty seven were found to be abnormal.
Majority of the attendees wanted Blood tests. Over 230 cost
–effective, basic quality comprehensive Chemistry profile of
blood tests with PSA, and HBA1c were carried out at a nominal
fee of $25 per test. The lab work was provided by American
Clinical Labs. Inc.in Stone Mountain. It is noteworthy that the
results of the blood work were mailed within 48 hours! The test
results helped identify some life threatening results which were
immediately notified to the participants.
 |
| |
All the participants were provided with snacks and beverages.
Charter Anchor Hospital,
| |
Advertisement |
| |
 |
Forest Park kindly provided fruit
trays, water bottles, cookies and fruit juice, while Sai Health
Fair arranged for delicious lunch for all the doctors, nurses
and volunteers.
SAI Health Fair publicity and coverage was carried by Khabar
magazine; India Abroad, India Tribune, Nripulse.com, wownow.com;
JanDarpan.com; and Atlantadunia.com. In addition, presidents of
several local Associations also helped to notify their members
about the Health Fair. Ravi Ponangi and Mahadev Desai did the
press coverage and photography.
An elated Dr. Sujatha Reddy thanked Hindu Temple President, Dr.
Jayasree Moparthy for providing the accommodation and help in
staging the Health Fair, and Dr.Koti Veeraiah and Dr.Aruna from
Houma, L.A. for donating an EKG machine.She further thanked
Emory University volunteers and Mercer University’s Dr.Strom and
student volunteers, supporting sponsors; the team of physicians,
nurses, students and dedicated volunteers who together helped
make the Health Fair a big success. The mission of the SAI
Health Fairs is to create an awareness of the importance of
preventive health care among the public-detection, prevention
and cure. Too often you hear someone say, “if only we had known
all of this could have been prevented.”
SAI Health Fairs are shining beacons of outreach of medical
services and vehicles of social service and welfare for the
disabled, aged, and needy and neglected in the society. Inspired
by Dr.Sujatha Reddy’s compassion, dedication and commitment,
many selfless physicians, Health Care professionals, volunteers,
Community and Faith-based organizations have joined their hands
in successfully staging these Health Fairs.
|
