Sickle Cell patient's network honors medical pros
By Fabian Burrell
Published: Tuesday, April 6, 2010 7:05 PM EDT
The Klau 8 Nurses - Montefiore Medical Center
Image by VisionInPictures
Hundreds wined and dined on a sumptuous dinner as they congratulated the four honorees at the Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network’s 17th Annual Dinner Dance Benefit at the Grand Prospect Hall in Brooklyn on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
This event singled out medical practitioners who showed extraordinary compassion and provided excellent care to members of a very select community - people living with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), a genetic blood disorder that affects the oxygen capacity of the red blood cells.The United Nations estimates that over 100,000,000 people worldwide are stricken with the sickle cell disease.
SCTPN works to foster better understanding and trust between those affected with hemoglobin disorders and the communities in which they live, work and receive care.
SCTPN started as an adult support group in 1989 and was incorporated as a not-for-profit charitable organization in 1992.
It’s Advisory Board, Board of Directors and its various committees are comprised of adults, youths, parents of children living with blood disorders, physicians, corporate executives and concerned citizens.
“As an organization, we provide referral services and also advocate for improvement in care, quality of life and reduction in healthcare costs,” said the 57 year old President, Donnette Carroll who was only diagnosed with the genetic disease at age 25. Back in Jamaica, where she was born, they were treating her for arthritis as her complaint was that of acute pain.
So on this very cold night in March the warmth of caring individuals surrounded the honorees: Scott T. Miller, MD, professor of clinical pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology SUNY-Downstate Medical Center; The Klau 8 Nurses - Montefiore Medical Center; Jean M. D’Augustine, MD Hematology/Oncology, New York Methodist Hospital Department of Medicine and U.S. Representative Yvette D. Clarke (D-11th CD) who, although absent on state business was capably represented by her mother, former Councilmember Una Clarke, who accepted her Community Service Award.
Haitian-born Dr. Jean M. D’Augustine was honored to be recognized with a Distinguished Service Award for the work he does in the community. He spoke with Caribbean Life during the festivities and acknowledged that recognition of his work and that ofhis fellow honorees was very rewarding.“I am a very happy man tonight for being honored,” he said.
“People hospitalized with complications related to SCD are more likely to die if they lack health insurance or if the facility sees few patients with the disease,” according to the Kaiser Health Disparities Report: Dec. 10, 2008.
Fortunately for Professor Desire Chung; BA, BSC, MSC, MPA, this was not the case during her stay on the 8th floor of the Klau Pavilion at Montefiore Hospital. She was lovingly cared for by nurses who she chose to honor on this night.Their spokesperson, Vernice Francis accepted their Outstanding Service Award and in her acceptance speech, noted their surprise when they were nominated because, “we did not know the stature of this patient. She was just a regular patient to us and it really means a lot to be recognized for our work. This is just an incentive to make us want to do better for every patient in our care.”
Dr. Miller was proud and happy to receive his Distinguished Service Award. “I have known Ms. Carroll for a long time and have watched the amazing things she has done like this event, tonight. Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke is not here tonight but she has been a big supporter over the years,“ he said. I am really glad I had the opportunity to talk about Hydroxyurea in my acceptance speech. It is a medication that is under-used and I think it is important for all of us to get the message out about it. It has some side effects sometimes but most of the people I have seen take it are much better off.
"The master of ceremony for the evening was the affable DJ Spread Love Bobby of 93.5FM who kept the capacity filled ballroom guests entertained and introduced the entertainment and the honorees.
Another celebrity newsman, Mike Gilliam of MY9 News - Reporter/Anchor was present with his lovely wife, Vickie. Gilliam has shown great support for SCTPN for many years and will preside as their Grand Marshall for the 12th Annual Walk for Sickle Cell Education and Awareness on Sept. 18. For further information, please go to their website http://www.sctpn.org
Email Fabian Burrell at: azizapr@gmail.com
http://caribbeanlifenews.com/articles/2010/04/06/health/caribbeanlife-cl_health-2010_04_02_fabian_sickle_cell.txt
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