On Friday, August 19th, Novo Nordisk and the Mississippi Medicare Diabetes Screening Project hosted NBA Hall of Famer, Dominique Wilkins, at the Jackson Medical Mall for a “Slam Dunk for Diabetes” education and outreach event.

Other special guests at the event included the Mayor of Jackson, MS, Mr. Harvey Johnson, Dr. Robert Smith, and Ms. Paula Freeman, RN, Certified Diabetes Educator. Dominique delivered the Medicare Diabetes Screening Project message that people in Medicare should talk to their doctor about the free diabetes screening test covered by Medicare. Screening and early detection are the keys to prevent diabetes for those at-risk and to prevent complications for people with undiagnosed diabetes.

About 90 participants were on hand to take part in diabetes screening, blood pressure checks, flu shots, to learn about healthy snacks, and diabetes education and outreach in the area.  Dominique shared his personal success story of living with Type 2 diabetes, and Mayor Johnson’s remarks highlighted the need for expanded outreach regarding this pressing health concern.  Ms. Freeman and Dr. Smith were available for a diabetes academy discussion after the talk by Mr. Wilkins and Mayor Johnson. Several organizations partnered in the event including; Walgreens, Diabetes Foundation of MS, The City of Jackson Senior Services, Tugaloo College, Jackson State University, Catalyst Rx, United Health Care, NAACP, Chick-Fil-A, and several others who provided information and screening. The event was organized by Derrick Johnson and Yumeka Rushing from the Mississippi Medicare Diabetes Screening Project and by Kim Elston and Julie Grogan from Novo Nordisk, which is a national co-chair of the MDSP.