Maui Health System Hosts Diabetes Day Community Health Fair

Maui Health System Diabetes Coordinator Jolly Uclaray teaches event guests about healthy portion control for diabetes prevention and management. PC: Maui Health System

Maui Health System hosts its 4th Annual Diabetes Day – a community health fair to celebrate World Diabetes Day – on Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, from 4 to 6:30 p.m. at Maui Memorial Medical Center.

The free event includes informational booths, entertainment, prizes and feature guest speakers from the Maui medical community lending their expertise on diabetes prevention and management.

The event schedule is as follows:

4 to 5 p.m. Maui Memorial Medical Center Courtyard

• Informational booths featuring various health and wellness organizations
• Entertainment
• Complimentary refreshments
• Enter-to-win prize drawings

5 to 6:30 p.m. Maui Memorial Medical Center Auditorium

Guest speakers:

• Dr. Scott Hoskinson, Infectious Disease, Kaiser Permanente
• Dr. Loma Hassell, Nephrologist, Maui Kidney Disease Inc.
• Dr. David Lee, Podiatrist, Pono Podiatry Lahaina
• Dr. Raymond Glauser, Optometrist, Kaiser Permanente

Complimentary valet parking will also be offered. The event is free and open to the public.

According to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health, in Hawaiʻi, 442,000 adults have prediabetes, and two in three of these adults don’t know that they have it. Without intervention, 15% to 30% of those with prediabetes will develop type 2 diabetes within five years. Fortunately, prediabetes can be reversed, meaning that if you have it, there are things that you can do to prevent yourself from getting type 2 diabetes.

“Education is critical to preventing type 2 diabetes and the only way we can fight this epidemic,” said Jolly Uclaray, Maui Memorial Medical Center diabetes educator. “So, we are thankful for all the participating organizations who, like Maui Health System, work hard to keep our community healthy through events like these.”

In addition to the annual community event, Maui Health System also offers free monthly classes that are open to the public. The Diabetes Support Group meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m. at Maui Memorial Medical Center. The class provides education, skills, and other resources to diabetes patients and their families.

Each meeting focuses on a different topic and special guest speakers provide specialized expertise on daily management and ways to prevent diabetes. For more information on Diabetes Support Group, visit the Maui Memorial Medical Center Facebook page under the Events tab. For event information contact Diabetes Coordinator Jolly Uclaray at 442-5773.