GRENADA CHAPTER DRAWS LARGE CROWD TO FIRST SPONSORED LECTURE.

A wonderful time was had by all who attended the first public lecture conducted by the Grenada Chapter of the St. George’s University School of Medicine Alumni Association. The headline for the event was “Have you had a heart attack? Your diet could be killing you. How safe are you?” The lecture was held in the recently completed Charter Hall on the True Blue Campus. There were approximately 180 persons in attendance at the event. They came from all walks of life, namely physicians, nurses, pharmacists, patients and students. They all came with the same desire to improve their knowledge and understanding of cardiovascular disease.

Dr. Ronaldo Rodrigues, an adult cardiologist, attached to CardioStart presented the medical and scientific information on conditions which lead to cardiovascular disease namely, hypertension, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, obesity and smoking. He was followed by Mrs. Lydia Brown, a registered dietitician currently attached to the General Hospital in Grenada. Her review of the main food groups, including minerals and antioxidants was well received.

CardioStart International is a voluntary group based in Miami, Florida. Together with the St. George’s University the group came to Grenada in a bid to deliver cardiac surgery to the inhabitants of Grenada and surrounding islands.

The presentations were followed by an hour-long session in which the audience asked questions on personal health matters and general beliefs and concepts that are common in Grenada. The questions allowed those in attendance to clarify their understanding of the material presented and make the connections with their current habits.

Comments by those leaving at the end of the evening indicated that they had become more knowledgeable on the subject matter. They also wanted to know when the next public lecture will be held. When the chapter was formed in April, 2007, one of its stated  purposes was to provide community outreach and education.   Given its commitment and the success of its first event, the Chapter is also looking forward to its next presentation.