“Many continual well being circumstances could be prevented by means of correct vitamin, common screenings, and adhering to prescribed drugs, finally resulting in longer, more healthy lives free from frequent sicknesses.”
This perception is held by Jamaican-born Dr. Karlene Lawrence, a licensed Grownup Well being Nurse Practitioner with over 20 years of expertise in Preventive Drugs at numerous well being facilities in New York Metropolis and Lengthy Island.
“Common screenings for circumstances equivalent to diabetes, hypertension, excessive ldl cholesterol, and cancers like breast, prostate, and colon can result in early analysis, less complicated therapies, diminished healthcare prices, and extra profitable outcomes,” Dr. Lawrence explains. “Preventive healthcare and wellness have all the time been my passions. Early in my profession, I spotted the reality within the saying ‘prevention is best than treatment,’ which has pushed the main focus of my observe ever since.”
Dr. Lawrence additionally highlights important challenges, equivalent to lack of inexpensive healthcare entry, insurance coverage constraints, stigmas in the direction of sure well being circumstances, and biases towards older sufferers and people with psychological well being points.
“Moreover,” she says, “many individuals worldwide battle to grasp healthcare discussions or directions as a consequence of low literacy ranges. This barrier prevents reaching preventive healthcare objectives. Sadly, the U.S. healthcare system could be advanced and troublesome to navigate, a long-standing concern requiring quick decision to make sure ‘greatest remedy’ for all sufferers.”
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Dr. Lawrence was born in St. Thomas, Jamaica, and attended Holy Childhood Preparatory and Excessive Colleges in Kingston earlier than immigrating to the USA at 17. She earned a Bachelor’s diploma in Nursing from Molloy Faculty with the intention of changing into a Nurse-Midwife. After acquiring a Midwifery and Ladies’s Well being Graduate diploma from New York College, she started working towards in outpatient settings in Queens and Brooklyn.
Nonetheless, her focus quickly shifted.
“I spotted my look after feminine sufferers was incomplete as a result of I couldn’t additionally care for his or her male companions. This led me to pursue an Grownup Nurse Practitioner Submit Graduate Certificates. Over time, I discovered my true ardour was educating sufferers about sickness prevention and wellness, slightly than simply treating identified sicknesses.”
In 2017, Dr. Lawrence returned to high school and acquired a Physician of Nursing Apply Diploma from SUNY Stony Brook College in 2019. Throughout this era, she married educator, musician, and cultural historian LeRoy Graham Jr., who drastically supported her whereas she pursued her objectives.
Dr. Lawrence has acquired quite a few honors, together with The Louis and Rachel Rudin Basis Scholarship, the New York State Superior Nursing Training Traineeship Scholarship, and the New York State Main Care Service Corps Scholarship. She can also be a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Worldwide Honor Society of Nursing.
At the moment, Dr. Lawrence serves because the Physician of Nursing Apply/Nurse Practitioner on a multimillion-dollar Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program (GWEP) grant from the federal Well being Assets and Companies Administration (HRSA). This system goals to remodel the healthcare workforce and neighborhood in Brooklyn by establishing a brand new wellness clinic for adults aged 65 and older. The clinic will even function a coaching facility for college kids from all faculties and schools at SUNY Downstate Well being Sciences College.
“My objective as a well being and wellness educator-presenter is to extend consciousness, comprehension, and adherence to preventive well being screening tips, enhance well being literacy, and get rid of well being disparities. I’m enthusiastic about empowering people by means of training to stop illnesses, promote well being, and preserve wellness as they age in their very own residences,” she states.
Nonetheless, she acknowledges the challenges forward.
“On the finish of the day, we nonetheless want to deal with the problems in our healthcare system, and that gained’t occur in a single day. It’s essential that every one healthcare stakeholders work collectively to search out efficient options. The lives of our fellow residents rely on it.”
