Mayor Edward M. Lambert, Jr. welcomed officials from the national Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services as they began a national tour on April 23, 2007, with a stop at the Lightolier Corporation in the Fall River Industrial Park. Regional Director for the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services Brian Golden recognized the Healthy City Initiative and the Diabetes Association, Inc. (DAI) and their recent work with Lightolier employees who are currently engaged in a diabetes prevention program. The bus tour will continue to visit the 48 contiguous states to promote prevention of heart disease, cancer, stroke and diabetes through participation in screenings and other prevention services offered through Medicare. "There are a lot of reasons to try to push the envelope as far as we can," stated Lightolier President Zia Eftekhar who welcomed the Diabetes Association in to work with his employees. Manny Silva, an employee who has been participating in the program, was even able to eliminate medication treatment for his Type 2 diabetes by losing weight and getting exercise. For more information about the Lightolier program, contact Julianne Kelly, DAI Executive Director or Virginia Senna-Davis, Diabetes Advocate at 508-672-5671. Click here for the Herald News article.
 

(Top row, left) U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services Regional Director Brian Golden is welcomed to Lightolier by Mayor Lambert. (Top row, center and right) Director Golden describes the Healthier U.S. program and its efforts to engage more citizens in prevention activities. (Middle row, left) Lightolier President Zia Eftekhar thanks Mayor Lambert for his support of local health initiatives. (Middle row, center) Lightolier employee Manny Silva talks about his participation in the Diabetes Association "Move, Lose, Prevent Diabetes" program. (Middle row, right) Billie Jane Valente and Pat Fanning of the Family Services Association join Paula Harrison of the HealthFirst Family Care Center and Bill Daponte of the Diabetes Association, Inc. in applauding the Medicare initiative. (Bottom row, left) Fall River Health and Human Services Director Michael Coughlin notes that the city's high rate of chronic illnesses could be reduced by more aggressive prevention efforts. (Bottom row, center) Diabetes Advocate Virginia Senna Davis listens as Boston Regional Administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Charlotte Yeh, M.D. describes the value of prevention efforts. (Bottom row, right) Lightolier employee Sandy Souza thanks the diabetes prevention program for pointing out what she can do to keep from developing this debilitating disease through diet and exercise.