REPORT & PHOTOS BY MAHADEV DESAI
Atlanta, GA, November 8, 2017: American Telugu Association (ATA) and SAI Health Fair in coordination with Georgia Indian Nurses Association (GINA) hosted the 38th SAI Health Fair at the Hindu Temple of Atlanta, Riverdale, Georgia, on Saturday, October 14, 2017. The Health Fair, organized by Dr Sujatha Reddy, elicited a good response with an attendance of over 200 participants. The event was sponsored by ATA.
People of diverse nationalities and cultures from all over Atlanta availed themselves of the free consultancy by over 15 dedicated physicians representing nine specialties, supported by nurses and service-oriented volunteers.
The registration, triage, bloodwork, stroke risk factor education, and information and advice on mammogram was provided in the banquet Hall of the temple, whereas bone dentistry tests, yoga session, EKGs, audio screening, medication education, and free consultations in cardiology, internal medicine, orthopedics, ENT, dentistry, pulmonary, dermatology and rheumatology were provided in the upstairs hall and rooms.
GINA’s past President Ms. Mary Jose, Jigisha Patel and GINA nurses helped with triage.
Southern Regional Medical Center’s Radiology Manager Elizabeth King and mammographer Pam Garner gave out informational material and advice on breast cancer and mammograms.
Stroke Risk Factor education was provided by GINA President Vidya Kanagaraj. Stroke is a leading cause of death in the U.S.Also called a brain attack, a stroke occurs when a clot blocks the blood supply to the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Time is critical in preventing long term damage so the patient must be taken to the hospital immediately.
Over 95 EKGs were carried out by Dr. Subramanyam Bhat’s office and Emory Southern Heart Specialists.
Over 40 audio screenings were done by Dr. Sridhar Krishnamurthy, Girish Enterprises, and Auburn, Alabama.
Bone Mineral Density screening tests were in big demand. More than 37 bone-density tests, were performed by a team of Madhusudhana Reddy and Akash, under the supervision of Dr.Sujatha Reddy. These bone density tests helped the participants about osteopenia and osteoporosis.
Over 155 cost –effective, basic quality comprehensive Chemistry profile of blood tests with HBA1c were carried out at a nominal fee of $30 per test. The lab work was provided by Symed LLC, in Tucker. 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.
Dedicated, committed and widely respected medical specialists Dr. Subramanyam Bhat and Dr.Annapurna Bhat, Dr.Raju Vanapalli, Dr.Tulasi Vanapalli, Dr.Syamala Erramilli, Dr.Jay Sampat, Dr.Hymavati Mikkilineni, Dr.Supriti Balyan, Dr. Sridhar Krishnamurthy, Dr. Raja Reddy, Dr. Devendra Koganti, Dr. Rao Nadig to name a few, interacted with the patients through free consultations.
ENT Surgeon Dr.Trushna Rao Nadig enthusiastically conducted yoga sessions for the visitors.
Dr. Sundak Ganesan, a Health Scientist at Center for Disease Control (CDC) gave out informative material on healthcare related issues and concerns in different languages like Hindi, Gujarati, English to the patients. Pharmacist Dr.Sabina Kurian educated patients about medication safety, smoking cessation, nutrition, proper antibiotic use, diabetes, allergies, etc.
Life South’s blood mobile in the temple’s parking lot collected 16 units of blood and thanked Dr. Reddy and ATA President Karunakar Asireddy for facilitating the blood drive. Asireddy, along with Kiran Pasham, Anil Boddireddy and Venu Pisike thanked Dr. Sujatha Reddy, GINA team, ATA regional coordinators, Prashanth, P, Sriram S, ATA health committee co-chair Ramana Reddy, Siva Kumar Ramadugu, Sridhar T and other doctors who volunteered for such a noble cause, and said: “ATA has organized many successful health fairs in various cities in the U.S. Furthermore, physicians from U.S. ATA president -elect Parmesh Bheemreddy, various ATA standing committee chairs, co-chairs and ATA volunteers will be in India, in December, to kick off the ATA SEVA days and also help in conducting about 10 health camps, eye-camps, education/immigration seminars, 10k/5k walks, in both Telugu speaking states.
Snacks, fruits and drinks were provided to all the participants by Crescent Pines Hospital, Stockbridge and ATA also provided for lunch for all the doctors, nurses, technicians and volunteers.
GINA President Vidya Kanagaraj commented, “This time, seven nurses from GINA volunteered along with one student volunteer. The RN’s helped with triage, and stroke education. GINA is blessed to be able to collaborate with Dr. Sujatha Reddy and Sai Health Fair to be of service to the community. GINA will continue with its participation in future SAI Health Fairs.”
Health Fair event publicity coverage was carried by Khabar magazine, NRI Pulse, India Tribune, wownow.com, RashtraDarpan, Desi-Express and Atlanta Dunia.
Dr. Sujatha Reddy effusively thanked ATA, GINA, all the doctors, nurses, technicians, and volunteers for their tireless efforts, for making the health fair event 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 in different venues and they have been successful every time. I also wish to thank Hindu Temple for providing the accommodation and help in staging the health fair.”
