Learn how to live well with diabetes and receive free screenings at annual expo

     BRISTOL – Area residents who have diabetes and anyone else who is interested in learning more about this disease will benefit from the 18th annual Diabetes Expo on Saturday, Nov. 2, at Bristol Regional Medical Center.

     The free event, hosted by Wellmont Diabetes Treatment Centers, will be held from 8 a.m.-noon in the hospital’s conference center. The expo will empower residents of the region to learn more about diabetes-related topics and take necessary steps to prevent or manage the disease.

     “We are excited to again offer authoritative information and beneficial medical care at the expo,” said Jim Perkins, director of the Diabetes Treatment Centers. “The number of people who have diabetes in our region and across the country has climbed dramatically, making this event important to attend. This expo is an excellent way for people to spend a morning and receive a wealth of information that can positively impact their health.”

     A variety of educational opportunities will be available. Dr. Mansoor Tanwir, a medical doctor with Wellmont Medical Associates Endocrinology, will hold a question-and-answer session. Plus, Tri-Cities Diagnostics, Bristol Regional’s Center for Wound Care, Creative Thinking Outside-the-Box and Food City will offer educational classes about diabetes.

     Those who attend at least three of the classes will be entered in a drawing for several gift cards.

     People with diabetes can access several free health screenings at the expo. Dr. Patrick Saavedra, a doctor of podiatric medicine with Highlands Podiatry, will provide foot exams; Dr. Joshua Hicks, a medical doctor with Mountain Empire Eye, will perform eye screenings; and Danielle Combs, a clinical audiologist with The Hearing Center at Holston Valley Medical Center, will conduct hearing screenings.

     The Diabetes Treatment Centers will also provide free, puncture-resistant red containers, which feature a locking lid, for the safe disposal of sharps and lancets.

     During the expo, attendees can participate in a safe sharps drop-off. People can bring their used medical sharps, including lancets, syringes and needles, in any type of container for disposal. The Diabetes Treatment Centers will exchange that container for the specially designed red one. 

     The Wellmont CVA Heart Institute will offer certificates for people to receive a HeartSHAPE® calcium scoring test at a reduced rate. This painless, noninvasive test produces pictures of the coronary arteries using a CT scanner. It detects the amount of plaque in the arteries and shows whether someone has developed heart disease.

     The test is normally $49. At the expo, people can pick up a certificate that entitles them to two tests for the price of one. To obtain a certificate, people need to qualify for the test based on age and risk factor requirements or receive a referral from a physician.

     Another component of the expo is Walgreens administering flu shots for $31.99, as well as pneumonia and shingles vaccines. Most insurance companies can be billed for vaccinations, so people who are interested should bring their insurance cards.

     Preregistration for the Diabetes Expo is not required. For more information, please call 423-844-2950.

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