Shared Medical Appointments (SMAs)

Schedule: The second Friday of the month at 9 am.

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic condition where the pancreas makes little or no insulin. While it is most common in children and adolescents, which is why it is also known as juvenile diabetes, it can also develop in adults.

With no cure for type 1 diabetes, its management with insulin is all the more important to reduce the risk of complications. Diet and lifestyle factors, in addition, can help those with type 1 diabetes better manage their blood sugar levels.

SMAs provide an environment where those with type 1 diabetes can meet others with the same disease who use similar tools and techniques to manage their health. Patients can receive guidance from their peers and their doctor on managing their blood sugar levels and ensuring that complications do not occur.

Self-management is critical for those with diabetes, and SMAs provide the information needed to do this successfully.

Schedule: The first Friday of the month at 9 am and the last Wednesday of the month at 5 pm.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition resulting from an impairment in how the body regulates blood sugar as fuel. It typically results from too much sugar in the bloodstream. Proper management is essential to prevent disorders of the nervous, circulatory, and immune systems.

While children and adults can have type 2 diabetes, it is typically more common in adults.

These SMAs focus on the factors that you can control to manage your type 2 diabetes, such as eating well, exercising, and losing weight, along with choices or medicines. Your doctor can provide guidance on lifestyle changes to make, and you can learn from the other patients at the appointment about what has worked for them.

Insulin may also be needed to manage blood sugar levels in those with type 2 diabetes, and your dosage and its effectiveness can be evaluated at the SMA to determine if your plan still properly manages your blood sugar levels.

Schedule: The third Friday of the month at 9 am.

This SMA focuses on building a community with others who are suffering from obesity.

BMI > 30 mg/kg2 is a significant risk factor for other conditions, which makes controlling and managing weight more important for promoting long-term health. In particular, unhealthy weight at this BMI is associated with over a dozen cancers (e.g., ovarian, pancreatic, breast, multiple myeloma), high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, and osteoarthritis.

Despite how important addressing obesity is for your health, there is often a stigma surrounding obesity that can make it challenging to seek help.

Our weight management SMA seeks to provide a community of other individuals looking to manage their weight, creating a helpful environment where there is no judgment, and everyone is working with you to take charge.

Every body is different, which means that it has different needs and one approach will not work for everyone. With the weight management SMA, you can explore different weight management methods to find one that works for you by learning from other’s experiences and letting others learn from yours.

Schedule: The fourth Friday of the month at 9 am.

Osteoporosis is a disease weakening the bones, making those affected more susceptible to fractures. In many cases, the disease progresses undetected, and those affected do not experience any symptoms or pain until a bone fractures.

Because of its silent progression, it is important to do what you can to prevent this disease. Women, in particular, are more likely to develop osteoporosis, although these SMAs are open to both men and women.

Two crucial factors that can affect the progression of osteoporosis, which you can control, include your diet and lifestyle. During your SMAs, you will discuss techniques to manage these elements and preserve your bone health.

Your doctor will also use this appointment time to discuss if your bone density has reached a level that requires treatment, and the different medication-based treatment options. You can discuss with your doctor the potential side effects of the medications and which one would be best for you. Your doctor will also continually reevaluate your bone density levels to ensure the medication is working effectively.

The fear of fracture can make osteoporosis intimidating to live with. However, SMAs bring you together with other individuals enduring this same disease so you can learn from each other and build a community that shares strategies to reduce the risk of fracture and build confidence.

Schedule: [To be determined]

The thyroid is an important gland that produces hormones, which are messengers for the body. When the thyroid produces too much or too little of these hormones, the conditions hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism can occur.

The standard treatment for hypothyroidism is a daily thyroid hormone replacement medication. For those with hyperthyroidism, antithyroid drugs can be used to block the thyroid's ability to make hormones.

Your SMA is a time to learn if your thyroid medication is right for you and if the strength is producing the desired results. If they aren’t, your doctor can alter your prescription to try and find the correct dosage for your body’s needs.

Additionally, during the SMA you are able to meet with others who have thyroid problems, allowing you to discuss what techniques are working for them and creating a community that helps every individual have better health.