Medical ServicesFrom the Director's Desk
In the Director's own words:
Personally, I got into medicine because like every other physician I know, I wanted to help people. As an African Ambassador, I strongly agree with the feeling that; "The capacity to care is the most important thing, which gives life its deepest significance" (Pablo Casals). I am deeply committed in Primary Care Medicine (Preventative Medicine). I believe that preventative medicine is the key to the country's attainment of a healthy population.
African Ambassador Medical Support Services (AAMSS) emphasizes prevention, counseling, and lifestyle changes. It de-emphasizes routine laboratory testing. Only procedures that have shown to make a difference are included. The major procedures that we incorporate in our medical management of our patients include measurement of body mass index, measurement of blood pressures, PAP smears, mammography, non-fasting serum, cholesterol, lifestyle counseling, and immunizations.
African Ambassadors' Medical Support Services are solely responsible for caring about the members of our community that are medically underserved. The AA physicians will always take an activist role in raising health awareness in the community. Reaching out, we have the potential to be powerful agents of change in places where preventative medical education is needed most and paramount. We stress preventative approach throughout the entire life cycle. "As educators we are responsible for introducing to our children, parents, siblings, friends and family members - early on the significance of preventive care. This factor is really a proving ground… almost baptism by fire. "There is a strong bond between AAMSS and the community."
Preventive medicine is our cornerstone and can never be underestimated. Not only do we listen to symptoms, but we rely on touch with reverence in life. It's a thorough, compassionate type of care that many believe is lacking in medicine today.
There is no doubt these are changing, challenging times for all the medical professionals in our community; however AAMSS will continue to dedicate our lives towards serving the less fortunate members of our community with absolute insight, competence, and compassion.
We strongly advocate by encouraging our patients to understand that the most important preventative means to undertake, in order to lower their risk of cancer from all causes include the following:
- Discontinue cigarette, pipe and cigar smoking.
- Decrease the amount of alcohol consumtion.
- Decrease the amount of dietary fat, especially saturated fat.
- Maintain a normal weight (to be accomplished by a decrease in dietary fat, a decrease in overall caloric intake, and an exercise program).
- Decrease exposure to environmental carcinogens whenever possible (especially any application of pesticides, herbicides, and related chemicals).
- Avoiding sun exposure without a sunscreen with a SPF (Sun Protective Factor) of at least 20.
We have also in collaboration with the U.S. Preventive Services Task force on periodic health examinations - adhere and incorporate the following preventive measures to our patients:
| Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease | Phenylketonuria | Intrauterine Growth Retardation |
| High Blood Cholesterol | Hepatitis B | Preclampsia |
| Hypertension | Tuberculosis | Congenital Birth Defects |
| Cerebral Vascular Disease | Sexually Transmitted Diseases | Post-menopausal Osteoporosis |
| Peripheral Vascular Disease | Urinary Tract Infections | Low Back Injury |
| Breast Cancer via breast exam/mammography | Anemia | Dementia |
| Cervical Cancer | Hemoglobinopathies | Abnormal bereavement |
| Colorectal Cancer | Lead Toxicity | Depression |
| Prostate Cancer | Diminished Visual Acuity | Suicidal Intentions |
| Testicular Cancer | Childhood Immunizations | Violent Injuries |
| Ovarian Cancer | Adult Immunizations | Alcohol and Drug Abuse |
| Oral Cancer | Estrogens/prophylaxis - women | Tobacco counseling |
| Diabetes Mellitus | Aspirin prophylaxis - men and women | Nutritional Counseling |
| Thyroid Disease | Glaucoma | MVA Counseling |
| Obesity | Hearing Impairment | Household and Environmental Injuries |
| Dental Diseases | Unintended Pregnancy Counseling | HIV/STD Counseling |
On the other hand there are reasons that we choose to perform physical examinations in asymptomatic adults independent of routine screening include the following
- Establishment of good doctor-patient relationship.
- Augmentation of history taking.
- Fulfillment of patient expectations.
- Provision of therapeutic benefit of touch.
- Maintenance and enhancement of physicians clinical skills
- Reinforcement of patient education, especially self-examination.
- Realistically reassures the patient confidence in our physicians.
- Establishment of patient baseline health status.
Finally, the AAMSS utilizes the following set of rules for prescribing medications in geriatric patients:
- Recognize that there is no drug to treat senescence.
- Recognize that mere prolongation of life is not a valid reason for using medication that decreases the quality of life.
- Make sure that the effects of treatment outweigh the risk.
- Establish a priority order for treatment.
- Keep the number of drugs administered concurrently to a minimum.
- In order to know our patients well, we usually consider Renal and Hepatic (kidney and liver) impairment. Constantly we consider both prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.
- Always begin the non-pharmacology medications to pharmacology medications.
- We have the best drug representatives that support our services and we always use few drugs rather than a lot of drugs.
- Doses are selected carefully and usually start from lowest doses with possible slow increments.
- We anticipate and minimize adverse drug reactions by constantly considering side effect profiles.
- Determination of every patient's capability of using their medications appropriately.
- Continuous education of the patient and their family is paramount to our service.
- Continuous re-evaluation whether or not our patients need a specific drug.
- Absolute review of total drug usage every three months on every elderly patient on more than one medication.
We offer free ...Medical Care, Prescriptions and Dental Care
Services to all qualified and classified underprivileged and disadvantaged members of our community. Some limitations may apply.There are no pre-existing condition exclusions.