A huge response for the ‘30th
SAI Health Fair’ at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta.
Text and Pics.By Mahadev Desai
Hindu Temple of Atlanta, in coordination with Sai Health Fair,
hosted a Health Fair at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale,
Georgia, on Saturday, March 30, 2013. The 30th Sai Health Fair
elicited a good response with an attendance of over 450
participants. The Health Fair was organized by Dr. Sujatha Reddy
as a tribute to the life and legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and also
to promote his and Dr. Martin Luther King’s philosophies of
Non-violence, community service and Social justice. The event
was sponsored by Muthalamada Sneham Charities, Isha Institute of
Inner Sciences, physicians, health care professionals and
volunteers.
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Dr.Sujatha Reddy with Isha
Foundation Volunteers |
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People of diverse nationalities and cultures from all over
Atlanta availed themselves of the free consultancy and tests
provided by over 42 dedicated physicians representing 14
specialties, supported by 3 technicians and over 50
service-oriented volunteers
The physicians, nurses and volunteers treated all with
cheerfulness, courtesy and dignity and in a relaxed manner.
Over 130+ EKGs were carried out by Commerce Cardiology Group,
Commerce, GA, and Southern Heart Specialists, Riverdale, GA.
Over 60 Vision and Glaucoma screening tests, were carried out by
Emory University Residents Sight Savers Program while audio
screenings were done by Dr.Sridhar Krishnamurthy .13 students
from Mercer University 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), diabetes, allergy, etc.
Bone Mineral Density screening tests were in big demand More
than 31 bone-density tests, were performed by a team of
Madhusudhana Reddy , Dr.Deepti Talluri,, under the supervision
of Dr.Sujatha Reddy. These bone density tests helped educate the
participants especially women about osteoporosis. A bone marrow
drive helped enroll twelve donors.Dr.Todd Gibson, a well-known
Chiropractor and yoga-instructor helped patients with
chiropractic problems.
Blood tests. Over 250 cost –effective, basic quality
comprehensive Chemistry profile of blood tests with 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
a week! The test results helped identify some life threatening
results which were immediately notified to the participants.
Many lined up to consult Naturopathy and Ayurveda expert
Dr.Satish Nair of Gentle Awakening, together with Ms. Cathy
Padilla.
On behalf of Isha Foundation, Dr.Kalpana Rajdev commented,
“Thirteen volunteers from Isha Foundation came to offer
volunteer support to help in various areas at the Health Fair
including the free group meditation sessions. Everyone was
impressed by the hundreds of people served by the health care
professionals at the fair. Our intention was to do
three meditation sessions but the response was great and we
ended up doing five sessions (50 minutes long). We passed our
educational material to approximately 200 individuals seeking
information about yoga and health. We felt that the Health Fair
was very well organized. It was impressive that many
enthusiastic health professionals from diverse specialties were
so willing to extend their time to volunteer. We really
appreciate the opportunity to serve the community at the health
fair and look forward to working together in future health
fairs. On a personal note, Dr. Reddy, your leadership and
dedication was very inspiring to me. I enjoyed working with the
lab blood drawing.”
Marjorie Sen who brought students from Mercer University School
of Pharmacy, APhA organization commented, “This was their fourth
time participating in SAI health fair, and students really
enjoyed it and look forward to coming again. "As students go
through their courses and leave," Marjorie said, "we are finding
these health fairs so valuable that we are introducing new
students to the experience who will continue participating.
Also, Mercer has a diverse student population, and many are
South Asian: several who came this time were from Bengal,
Gujarat, Hyderabad, and Pakistan. We are glad to give back to
our community thru health education (drug disposal, diabetes,
nutrition, etc.), to represent pharmacy as a professional
option, and to provide translation for patients with questions."
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Mercer University Pharmacy Students |
Emory University's Student Sight Savers in action. |
On behalf of Emory University School of Medicine, Joon-Bom
(Albert) Kim commented, "Thank you again for allowing Student
Sight Savers serve at the SAI health fair. It was a great
opportunity to serve the community and helping those in needs.
I, along with 8 other students who volunteered at the fair, was
able to screen many people for glaucoma and referred them to
appropriate resources. We look forward to serving again at
future SAI health fairs."
Snacks, fruits and drinks were provided to all the participants
by Charter Anchor Hospital. SAI Health Fair also provided for
lunch to all the doctors, technicians and volunteers.
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Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda
on taking care of 'heart'. |
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SAI Health Fair publicity and coverage was carried by Khabar
magazine; India Tribune, Nripulse.com, wownow.com;
JanDarpan.com;Desi-Express.com; Atlantadunia.com., Gireesh Meka
of TV9,and Anjali Chhabria and Anwar Ajmeri of TV Asia.Mahadev
Desai did the press coverage and digital photography. HTA
President Narender Reddy commented, “On behalf of Hindu Temple
of Atlanta I'd like to thank all the Doctors, volunteers and
especially Sujatha Reddy for her tireless efforts, for making
the HTA Health Fair a grand success. I'm glad to see so many
people, from all walks of life, come to avail the opportunity to
get free screenings & consultations with medical specialists.
We have been hosting Health Fairs for a long time and they have
been successful every time. Our community recognizes that HTA
not only provides a facility to meet the Religious and Cultural
needs of our community but also focuses on serving the community
through programs like Health Fairs, yoga classes and imparting
religious education (Bala Vihar) to children.”
Dr. Sujatha Reddy thanked Hindu Temple for providing the
accommodation and help in staging the Health Fair. She further
thanked Mercer pharmacy Students and Emory University’s sight
saver group - students, the team of physicians, nurses, and
dedicated volunteers who together helped make the Health Fair a
big success.
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