Free Diabetes Foot & Health Clinics for Community Members in Need
The 11th UMass Diabetes Foot Screening & Health Clinic for the underserved community was held on Saturday, November 15 at Hastings Hall in Fitchburg, MA. The location was determined using a new mapping system to identify neighborhoods with the greatest need for services. The inaugural multidisciplinary outreach clinic was held on World Diabetes Day, November 14, 2020, at the Saint Francis Xavier Center in Worcester’s canal district. These bi-annual clinics have since been held at Veterans Inc., Worcester YMCA, South Middlesex Non-Profit Housing Corporation in Leominster, the Athol Area YMCA, and Worcester's MLK Center. They continue to grow, both in terms of the number of attendees and services provided.
Organizer Tammy Nguyen, MD, PhD, is a vascular surgeon & Diabetes Center of Excellence (DCOE) scientist who combines her interests in diabetic wound healing and homeless medicine to provide necessary health resources to this underserved population.
"Our goal in starting these was to bring accessible healthcare to homeless and underserved individuals with regular outreach clinics to prevent diabetic foot ulcers and other complications from diabetes,” said Dr. Nguyen, a vascular surgeon-scientist who is conducting research about why people with diabetes experience problems with wound healing.
DCOE endocrinologists, nurse practitioners, certified diabetes care & education specialists (CDCES), and registered dietitians volunteer to provide examinations, distribute information, and schedule follow-up appointments as necessary. Vascular Surgery, Podiatry, Cardiology, and other departments check vitals, provide foot exams, point-of-care lab testing, wound care & more.
“I’ve met with dozens of people at these clinics who have diabetes, and many of them told me about family and friends who also struggle with it,” said Victoria Andersen, a clinical nutritionist & diabetes educator who has volunteered at most of the events. “They were interested in knowing what their blood sugars were and learning how to manage them. It's rewarding to empower people with diet and lifestyle education so they can live their best lives.”
Each attendee receives a pair of sneakers and socks, hot food is served, and other resources are provided. Screening focuses on diabetes with extension for hypertension, skin cancer, tobacco abuse, hyperlipidemia, and general podiatric and wound care needs.
"These events allow me to show and explain to people how they can make choices in accordance with their health goals," said Andersen. "We provide information about lifestyle modifications they can make to reduce their risk of developing serious complications caused by diabetes."
Photo Gallery from Previous Diabetes Outreach Clinics
