Jersey City (April 6, 2006) — Saint Peter’s College will host a conference in conjunction with the Jersey City Medical Center entitled Diabetes: Enigma and Epidemic on Thursday, April 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Pope Lecture Hall. The event, sponsored by the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, is free and open to the general public.
According to the American Diabetes Association, more than 20 million children and adults in the United States suffer from diabetes. More than 6 million people are not aware that they have the disease.
“Our goal with the conference is to raise awareness of this disease, which affects so many individuals throughout Hudson County and our nation,” said Dr. Robert Lahita, Chairman and Vice President of Medicine at the Jersey City Medical Center and moderator of the conference. “Early diagnosis and treatment are the keys to preventing the spread of this often undetected disease.”
Diabetes is a disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin. The cause of diabetes remains unknown. Many researchers suspect that genetics, environmental factors, obesity and lack of proper exercise are contributing factors.
“The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey is pleased to support this conference”, said Larry Altman, Executive Director of The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. “The Foundation is committed to improving the health of the people in New Jersey and this conference will help educate people about a disease that is affecting a growing number of people.”
The conference will feature three speakers who will address different aspects of diabetes. Each speaker will talk for approximately 45 minutes followed by a 15-minute question and answer session.
Dr. Lauren Lipeski, M.D. of the Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes division at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Paterson will deliver an address entitled Diabetes in Childhood beginning at 9:05 a.m.
Dr. Antonio Morgado, M.D., Chief of the Division of Endocrinology of Palisades Medical Center will discuss Current Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus starting at 10:10 a.m.
Dr. Marvin Schwalb, Ph.D., Director of the Center of Human and Molecular Genetics of UMDNJ-New Jersey Medical School will discuss The Genetics of Diabetes: Why is this so hard to figure out? beginning at 11:30 a.m. Dr. Schwalb is a professor of microbiology and molecular genetics.
Individuals planning to attend may RSVP by Tuesday, April 25 to Vicky Giordano at vgiordano@spc.edu or 201-915-9187. Registration for the conference begins at 8:30 a.m.
Saint Peter’s College is the Jesuit College of New Jersey. Founded in 1872, Saint Peter’s has an enrollment of approximately 3,000 students in undergraduate and graduate programs. The main campus is located in Jersey City. The College has a branch campus for adults in Englewood Cliffs, NJ and also offers courses at various corporate sites at the Jersey City waterfront and in South Amboy, NJ.
Jersey City Medical Center is the regional referral, teaching hospital of Hudson County and is core teaching affiliate of Mount Sinai School of Medicine. The hospital serves as the region’s state designated Level II Trauma Center, regional Perinatal center and Children’s Hospital of Hudson County, open heart surgery and emergency angioplasty center, teaching cancer program, and medical communications center for emergency preparedness.
The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, created by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, supports charitable organizations that promote health, education, and other cultural and arts programs throughout New Jersey. For more information about the Foundation visit www.horizonblue.com/foundation.