First Community event on Diabetes Mellitus

Salaams,
Our first event was hosted by Somali Student Association(SSA) at Columbus State Community College(CSCC). The event took place on the 7th of March 2009 in Nestor Hall. Rashad Arman SSA's acting secretary introduced our group. He talked about the re-activation of our students group and its future plans. The event was attended by nurses, nursing student, CSCC student, CSCC faculty , other Somali health care professionals (respiratory therapist, Clinical laboratory technicians and Medical doctors) and guests.
Brenda Rendelman,RD, LD, CDE a Registered Dietitian from the Central Ohio Diabetes Association talked about prevention of Diabetes Mellitus and the role of nutrition. She educated us about the importance of portion sizing and the breakdown of the daily portion intake and provided suggestions on how to modify Somali cuisine to lead a healthy life. After refreshments Saida Yassin and I co-presented a lecture titled " Many faces of Diabetes Mellitus" which provided a review about diabetes Mellitus, it's definitions, classification, etiology, pathophysiology, treatment regimens and complications. We took a case scenario approach where Saida presented from a Physicians view the diagnosis, classification, treatment plan and chronic complications. While I discussed the etiology, pathophysiology and shared how nurses care for the diabetes patient at the bedside and what acute complications they may present within the emergency room. The event was educational , the attendees participated actively during the presentations and left promising to change the way they regard food and their lifestyle. So it was also successful. This educational event was necessary as I realized that we "Somali's" could be the next statistic in the diabetes epidemic if we fail to be aware of Diabetes Mellitus and its complication.
We had also invited representatives from different Somali community organisation to attend so that we could discuss Diabetes Mellitus impact on the Somali community. Except for a few who couldn't attend we were disappointed by their absence. Though we are partly responsible of sending the invites a bit late; We hope we will get better support next time.

Gacmo Wadajir Beey Wax ku kabsadaan

Our first meeting

The first meeting was held on 27th December 2008 at Somali Community Association of Ohio's (SCAO) Conference room. Hodon,our representative of the Young Somali Professionals of North America(YSPNA) Ohio chapter welcomed the new group - the Somali Nurses Association of North America.(SNANA) She provided information on YSPNA and their vision. A few members of YSPNA attended, I was one of them. And then Farhia got to introduce her vision for the Nurses organisation. There was approximately 20 nurses & nursing students who attended and actively discussed the activities, goals they would like to attain and selected a representative for each of their individual schools- Mount Carmen, Ohio State Univ, Otterbein College, Wright state & Columbus SCC as well as for the LPN group.
The meeting was also attended by president of SCAO Hassan Omar who emphasised the need of health care professionals to educate the Somali community because most of the Somali community members still face language and social barriers. He also mentioned his observations as a community leader and the health care issues faced among his constituents. Dr. Omar Awale our local Somali Family Medicine physician who is also a YSPNA member acknowledged the need of more education and outreach programs to help Somali patients to understand the importance of health care and nutrition and implement it in their lifestyle. He also shared his views and problems he faces on a daily basis when he treats his Somali patients.
After refreshments were served the meeting was later adjourned for a later date on agreement that members establish a facebook account so that planning to hold an educational session for nurses can continue.