FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 7, 2011
(CHICAGO)— Recognizing that early detection of many medical conditions increases the chances of preventing serious illness, a group of osteopathic physicians (DOs) and osteopathic medical students will provide free health screenings to adults and children during a health fair at the Orlando Union Rescue Mission* on Saturday, Oct. 29.
From 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., in an event co-sponsored by the American Osteopathic Foundation, members of the National Osteopathic Medical Association (NOMA), an organization representing the minority DO population, will offer blood pressure checks and screenings for conditions such as diabetes. DO volunteers will also be conducting wellness physicals for children and will be available to answer questions on topics like health and nutrition for the whole family and quitting smoking. They will also partner with a local clinic for necessary follow-up care for health fair attendees.
“We look forward to partnering with NOMA to offer health screenings to those in our community who need it most and hope this helps them live healthier lives,” said Allen Harden, Orlando Union Rescue Mission’s President/CEO.
Joining NOMA to staff the health fair will be members of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA) and the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP), two organizations representing the more than 19,000 osteopathic medical students across the country.
“As an osteopathic physician, I encourage all of my patients to come in for regular screenings and teach them that prevention is key to staying healthy,” said Darrell Lynn Grace, DO, NOMA community outreach chair and a board-certified osteopathic internal medicine physician from Youngstown, Ohio. “It is our hope that offering screenings to those who do not have regular access to a physician will help catch any potential health problems early.”
All three groups will be representing the osteopathic medical profession at OMED 2011, the Osteopathic Medical Conference & Exposition, to be held Sunday, Oct. 30, through Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
*The Orlando Union Rescue Mission is located at 1521 W. Washington Street. Participants will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis.
About the American Osteopathic Association
The American Osteopathic Association (AOA) proudly represents its professional family of more than 78,000 osteopathic physicians (DOs); promotes public health; encourages scientific research; serves as the primary certifying body for DOs; is the accrediting agency for osteopathic medical schools; and has federal authority to accredit hospitals and other health care facilities. More information on DOs/osteopathic medicine can be found at www.osteopathic.org.
About the National Osteopathic Medical Association
Formally organized in 1992, the National Osteopathic Medical Association (NOMA) is an organization of under-represented minority physicians in the osteopathic profession. NOMA’s goals are to provide leadership and improve the representation of minority osteopathic physicians at all levels within the osteopathic profession and to provide mentors to medical students and increase awareness of the osteopathic profession.
About the American Osteopathic Foundation
The American Osteopathic Foundation (AOF) identifies and supports philanthropic activities that improve people's health and enhance the osteopathic medical profession. Contributions to the AOF benefit thousands of osteopathic medical professionals through grants, scholarships, and awards to students, physicians, researchers, and osteopathic programs.
About the Student Osteopathic Medical Association
The purpose of the Student Osteopathic Medical Association (SOMA), which is a student run organization under the AOA, is to promote osteopathic ideals and unity within the osteopathic medical profession, and to establish and to maintain lines of communication among health care professionals in an ongoing effort to improve the quality of health care. More information about SOMA can be found at www.studentdo.com.
About the Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents
The Council of Osteopathic Student Government Presidents (COSGP) was established in 1974 as an official council of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine (AACOM) to serve as the official national representative voting voice of osteopathic medical students.
About the Orlando Union Rescue Mission
The Orlando Union Rescue Mission (OURM) is one of Central Florida’s oldest and largest homeless service providers. OURM, a non-profit, faith based organization, offers food, clothing, shelter and other resources to help homeless men, women and families achieve self-sufficiency. In the most recent fiscal year, OURM provided over 281,000 hot meals and more than 87,000 nights of shelter to the homeless men, women, and children of Central Florida.
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Media Note
To speak with AOA Media Relations staff prior to the event, please contact Nicole Grady at (312) 202-8038 or (312) 593-6897 (Mobile) or Mike Campea at (312) 202-8043 or (312) 730-0370 (Mobile).
Contact:
Nicole Grady
(800) 621-1773, ext. 8038 (Toll free)
(312) 202-8038 (Office)
ngrady@osteopathic.org
Or
Mike Campea
(800) 621-1773, ext. 8043 (Toll free)
(312) 202-8043 (Office)
mcampea@osteopathic.org