Bristol Regional Medical Center hosting symposium on diabetes in June

BRISTOL, Tenn. ? The 15th annual Diabetes Symposium will be held at Bristol Regional Medical CenterJune 23 from 8 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. in the Monarch Auditorium.

Topics and the speakers are:

"Advances in Medical Device Technology for Diabetes Management" by Mansoor Tanwir, M.D., an endocrinologist with Wellmont Medical Associates

"Weight-Loss Surgery and Diabetes" by Andrew Kramer, D.O., medical director of Wellmont Health System's Comprehensive Weight Management Center at Holston Valley

"Diabetes Guidelines 2017" by Jay Cohen, M.D., medical director of The Endocrine Clinic in Memphis

"Who's on First? Health Coaching in the Diabetes Education Game" by Lisa Gilreath, clinical senior diabetes educator at the Wellmont Diabetes Treatment Centers office at Bristol Regional

"New Diabetes Medications Update" by Richard Hess, a pharmacist and associate professor with the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy at East Tennessee State University

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Tennessee is fourth highest in the nation in prevalence of Type 2 diabetes ? with Sullivan County ranking fourth in the state. Virginia is No. 23 in the nation, but Southwest Virginia has some of the highest rates in the commonwealth.

Director of Wellmont Diabetes Treatment Centers Jim Perkins said it is important for caregivers to participate.

"Diabetes is common in the region," he said. "And this excellent group of speakers will provide valuable insight and helpful information about diabetes to a broad spectrum of medical professionals."

He added that diabetes contributes to a host of medical conditions, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and blindness so participants can benefit from learning about this disease and ways it can be managed.

The event is free but preregistration is required. The last day to register is June 12.

To sign up call Wellmont Diabetes Treatment Centers at 423-844-2954.