Clinic Edition Internal Mayo Medicine Review Seventh

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center has been invited to present its experience in establishing an Occupational Medicine Program for the underserved Greater New Bedford community at the National Summit of Clinicians for Health Care Justice. The program is under the direction Ismail Nabeel, MD, MPH who will present the abstract entitled Changing Healthcare Practice: Building a healthy work force in a resource poor setting is no longer a broken promise. He will be able to showcase the pioneering work of the program at GNBCHC and the novel tracking system for surveillance of occupational related injuries in a medically underserved population.

The conference will be held October 23-25, 2008 in Washington, DC. It is expected to provide an opportunity for clinicians to explore cutting edge solutions and to be a part of the vital efforts to make quality health care for the underserved a reality.

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center has been selected as one of two Health Centers in Massachusetts to participate in the Occupational Health Surveillance program. By combining Public Health and Health Center objectives, individuals subjected to work related injuries and exposures can receive treatment for those conditions as well as receive primary care and a whole range of services.

The surveillance program involves collecting information on work-related injuries and illnesses, using the information to develop intervention and preventive programs, and educating workers, employers, and health care providers in occupational health problems in medically underserved communities. Workplace health conditions include asthma, needlesticks, musculoskeletal injuries, lead poisoning, burns, carbon monoxide poisoning, and occupational cancer.

The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center continues to explore funding sources to support these efforts.

The surveillance program at GNBCHC is under the direction of Ismail Nabeel, MD who is a member of the Infectious Disease team. Dr. Nabeel is Board certified in Internal Medicine and Occupational Medicine. He not only lectures on occupational health conditions at the Health Center but has also trained Park Service Rangers and volunteers in hazard communication during Summerfest. and has provided training for fishermen. He is a visiting scholar at Harvard School of Public Health. He has presented lectures to judges in Massachusetts and Rhode Island on work related issues in HIV positive patients. Dr. Nabeel is a member of the Department of Public Health Advisory Board for Occupational Health Surveillance.

The Wellness Center at the Greater New Bedford community Health Center will open July 1, 2008. Programs include Weight Management, Smoking Cessation, and Diabetes Education. The Wellness Center will be open to the public and area businesses, and may expand to include future collaborations with the YMCA and other agencies.

The Walgreens pharmacy Grand Opening will be held on June 5 at 9:00 am. Join us in celebrating as we expand our services to meet the healthcare needs of our patients.

It’s vacation season once again, and if you’re like many Americans you’ll be hitting the road for a little fun and adventure.  To get the most out of your trip, and to keep yourself as safe and sane as possible, you’ll want to keep the following tips in mind:

• Make a plan.  Plan your trip in advance.  While being a free spirit on the road can be fun, that doesn’t mean you have to leave the details to fate.  Gather maps and brochures about the places you’re going to visit.  Estimate your travel times and rest stops. And schedule the majority of your travel during daylight hours if possible.
• Set a budget.  Figure out how much you want to spend and does some research before you go, so you don’t end up paying more for hotels and fuel than you want to.  If possible, book your hotels before you leave.  To estimate fuel costs, go to http://fuelcostcalculator.com, which combines AAA’s daily online Fuel Gauge Report and the Environmental Protection Agency’s fuel economy ratings.
• Get your car checked.  Thinking of skipping that tuneup?  Think again.  It’s a minor task now that could become a major hassle once you’re on the road.  Use a service outlet you trust.  Buy or put together your own road safety kit.  Include items that help you deal with both car and personal emergencies (e.g., a jack, water and antifreeze, a flare, first-aid products, a blanket).
• Don’t overdo it.  Make sure you are properly rested before you set out for the day.  Take breaks where you can get out of the car and stretch.
• Check the weather.  Before you leave home, look at the forecast for the time and regions you’ll be traveling through.  Before you set out each day, check again to see if anything has changed.

Once you’re on the road…

• Avoid looking like a tourist.  Don’t leave maps in plain sight in your car, and don’t stand on a street corner gazing at a brochure in confusion.  Both advertise your vulnerability to anyone looking for an opportunity to take advantage of your situation.
• Drive the speed limit.  You don’t really gain much time by rushing, but you can get into situations that are undesirable when you’re hurrying and distracted.  Also, your fuel usage is more cost-efficient when driving the speed limit.
• And don’t forget to buckle up!