By By Sharon White/The Meridian Star
March 25, 2001
A statewide seminar set for May 17 in Meridian is expected to take some of the pain out of arthritis while providing people affected by the condition the latest in treatment and resources, organizers say.
The program, titled "Take Control Assess Your Joint Health," will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the Frank Cochran Center at Highland Park.
Wardlaw said for the seminar to be effective, local support is a must.
In addition to literature expected to be available at dozens of vendor booths, the Arthritis Foundation, Mississippi Chapter, hopes to bring together some of the area's top expects in the condition that effects one out of six people nationwide.
Members of the foundation are working with officials at the Mississippi State Department of Health to raise awareness through such programs, Wardlaw said.
Featured speaker will be Dr. Robert Daggett, rheumatologist for Meridian Medical Associates. Former Mississippi First Lady Pat Fordice, spokesman for the state arthritis foundation, will give opening remarks.
Other scheduled guest speakers include Dr. Joe Byrd, head of Clinical Pharmacology at the University Medical Center in Jackson, and Cindy Luther, nurse practitioner at Rush Senior Health Clinic.
Byrd is expected to discuss drug therapy for arthritis, and Luther will present material on osteoporosis prevention and control. A panel discussion is also on the agenda with fibromyalgia as the topic.
The event will include free bone density screenings and arthritis risk assessments.
For more information about booth space, sponsorship or topic information, contact Wardlaw at 1-800-844-8400 or write to the Arthritis Foundation, Mississippi Chapter, P.O. Box 9185, Jackson, MS 39286-9185.
Sharon White is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. E-mail her at swhite@themeridianstar.com.