Save Legs – Change Lives

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By Hazel Rosetta Smith
On March 21, 2024, a mighty warrior, Dr. Marcella Maxwell, passed away at the Weill Cornel Medical Center, as one of her favorite activities, a health and wellness session was taking place at the Abyssinian Baptist Church.
The Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Inc. was hosting an educational session titled SAVE LEGS CHANGE LIVES focused on Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), which is a condition that causes blood vessels to narrow, thereby reducing blood flow to the limbs, most often the legs.
I know Dr. Maxwell, leader of The Golden Life Seniors Ministry at the church, would have been pleased with the informative presentation, and enormously proud of the program partnership between GNY Chapter, Links, Inc. Health & Human Services and Johnson & Johnson.
After the welcome by Michelle D. Stent, Links Co-chair of Health & Human Services, the guest speaker, JaBaris D. Swain, MD, MPH, Medical Executive, Health Systems Integration, J&J Innovative Medicine was introduced by Rhonda Joy McLean, Links Inc. Co-chair of Health & Human Services to address PAD and its risks to Black Americans.
As a specialist in Cardiovascular medicine, Dr. Swain spoke openly about the risk factors of Peripheral Artery Disease and its direct effect on diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity.
Signs include leg cramping, change in skin coloration on feet, and foot sores that seldom fully heal with associated complications including loss of mobility, stroke, heart attack, and amputation.
Dr. Swain emphasized the importance of a thorough examination of the lower extremities by the primary physician and the patient’s participation in the examination. Remove shoes and socks to look for discoloration of feet, a close look for any sores or redness on toes, look between each toe, and mark the spot if any to show the doctor and shiny skin on legs.
Pulses should be taken at the ankles, not just the usual blood pressure monitoring at the upper arm. The Doppler ultrasound test (non-invasive) will diagnose disorders that affect blood vessels in the abdomen, legs, or arms.
In addition to the primary physician, there are other medical professionals associated with limb salvage procedures, such as vascular medicine specialists, interventional heart specialists, and interventional radiologists before amputation becomes the final diagnosis.
After an extensive Q&A with Dr. Swain, the overall consensus was that we are responsible for our bodies. It is important to examine the entire body of skin before symptoms, especially for older adults and those who are in our care.
Save Legs Change Lives PAD free education sessions are held in common gathering areas such as local churches, community centers, and colleges. [Contact: SaveLegsChangeLives@its.jnj.com]
Johnson & Johnson representatives were Domonic Poletta, Chris Yuen, Cindia Regina, and Donna Febres. Maxwell’s longtime friend, Caroline McBain fulfilled her attendance commitment with a busload of residents from the Esplanade Gardens complex. Lunch was delicious, as usual, and the day ended on a high note with closing remarks by Deborah Whitfield, GNY Chapter, Links, Inc., Health & Human Services.