Photo By Eric Brown | Atlanta VA Medical Center Clinical Pharmacist Vian Nguyen celebrates an active...... read more read more
DECATUR, Ga. - Clinical Pharmacist Vian Nguyen prides herself in providing personalized care to her patients at the Atlanta VA Medical Center (VAMC). Although, her doctor-patient relationship included a diabetic patient who was very active, Nguyen was surprised to learn the two shared something else in common.
When Craig Schneeberger discovered he had diabetes five years ago he knew he could come to the Atlanta VAMC for help. “He is very active,” Nguyen said. “He has a very healthy weight and you’d never think by looking at him that he’s a diabetic—and uncontrolled at that.”
“Mr. Schneeberger has had a lot of difficulty getting his diabetes under control despite being incredibly motivated to do so,” said Primary Care Physician Dr. Stephanie Brown-Johnson, Schneeberger’s assigned physician who consulted Nguyen to manage his diabetes. Nguyen had no idea her patient’s motivation was aimed at training to run the largest 10K in America—coincidentally the same race she was planning to run.
“I know he is a runner,” Nguyen said. And in late June, during a routine visit to lab and blood pressure check-up, Schneeberger casually disclosed to Nguyen that he was running his 26th Peachtree Road Race on Independence Day. “I’m going to be at the Peachtree as well!” Nguyen replied with astonishment.
According to Brown-Johnson, Nguyen was concerned about Schneeberger’s diabetic control during the race and the risk of hypoglycemia. “I knew that day was going to be rigorous so I told him I would call him before the race to adjust his insulin.”
“Nguyen explained that her team of clinical pharmacists provide close-monitoring of patients and keep physicians updated regularly about their patients’ progress. “That’s what I love to do,” Nguyen said.
“This team has really worked together hard,” Schneeberger said. “When Dr. Nguyen tells you to do something…you gotta do it—you don’t drink colas and eat candy bars. You’ve got to stay within your regimented diet,” Schneeberger said.
Nguyen ran a time of one hour and six minutes finishing her first Peachtree Road Race in wet conditions. Despite wet condition at the race, both Nguyen and Schneeberger agreed that the experience was fulfilling. “It was such a great feeling to be a part of it,” Nguyen said. “He’s just an amazing person.”
Schneeberger explained that with Nguyen’s help, he was able to get his diabetes under control. “She reeled me in,” Schneeberger said. “We dropped almost two whole numbers in my A1C—down to a 7.4, which is just heaven-sent to me.”
“His A1C, which is used to monitor the diabetes control, has improved dramatically,” Brown-Johnson said. A1C is a blood test that measures a person’s average blood glucose (sugar) level.
Schneeberger, who served in the Marine Corps in 1971 as an artillery scout observer, was elated at the holistic approach to his healthcare. “The team did it.”
| Date Taken: | 07.15.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.15.2015 12:56 |
| Story ID: | 170094 |
| Location: | DECATUR, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 65 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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