WARWICK — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 20 million Americans have diabetes, six million of whom are unaware they have the disease.
On Saturday, Nov. 9, the Center for Diabetes Education at St. Anthony Community Hospital invites the community to its first annual Diabetes Expo to be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Warwick Town Hall, 132 Kings Highway in Warwick.
The event is aimed at raising awareness about this disease and providing access to educational materials and resources. The Expo will include information provided by the Center for Diabetes Education as well as vendors and sponsors.
A highlight of the Expo will be presentations by four physicians affiliated with St. Anthony Community Hospital, all board certified in their specialties, on treating and living with Diabetes.
11 a.m. - Seth Hurwitz, M.D., will give a presentation on “Diabetes and Your Heart.” Hurwitz is a cardiologist certified by the National Board of Echocardiography, the Board of Nuclear Cardiology, and the American Board of Internal Medicine with a subspecialty in Cardiovascular Disease.
12 noon - Nicholas Belasco, M.D., will discuss, “Exercise and Diabetes.” Belasco is board certified in Family and Sports Medicine and is a Certified Impact Consultant. He serves as director of the Bon Secours Concussion Management Program, which he created and developed.
1 p.m. - “Medications to Treat Diabetes,” will be the topic presented by Yuriy Gurevich, M.D., board certified in internal medicine and endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism.
2 p.m. - “Diabetes and Your Kidneys” is the topic which will be discussed by Sergio Obligado, M.D., a board certified physician in both internal medicine and nephrology. Obligado had been named Nephrology Teaching Fellow of the Year during his fellowship program at New York University School of Medicine.
“The purpose of the Expo is to provide the community with information on diabetes from the experts," said Certified Diabetes Educator Lourdes Braadt, RN. "Information on current tools used to manage diabetes will be available as well. It is important for those with diabetes not only to be aware of the complications that can develop from diabetes but also to learn how these complications can be prevented. Being informed helps us to make better choices. As a community we need to reverse the diabetes trend. Each one of us has the responsibility to make healthy choices and encourage our family members to make them as well.”
The Center for Diabetes Education at St. Anthony Community Hospital offers a series of classes for all patients who have been recently diagnosed with diabetes or those who demonstrate poorly controlled diets. During group or individual sessions, clinical instructors offer initial assessment, emotional support and will seek to help patients achieve a better understanding of the disease. They will show their patients how to live a normal and productive life with diabetes and how to control the disease through diet and exercise.
For more information about the Center for Diabetes Education or the Expo, call 845-987-5168 or visit bschs.bonsecours.com.