Cavanagh Named Chair Of National Diabetes Council

10-21-97
University Park, Pa. -- Peter Cavanagh, distinguished professor of kinesiology, orthopaedics and rehabilitation, medicine, and biobehavioral health and director of the Center for Locomotion Studies in the College of Health and Human Development, was recently named chair of the Council on Foot Care of the American Diabetes Association (ADA). The ADA, one of the nation's largest volunteer health organizations, encompasses a broad mission from patient advocacy, to patient and professional education, to scientific research and research grant award programs.

The Council of Foot Care is charged with defining the standards of foot care for patients with diabetes nationwide, and for organizing scientific programs. It also directs research, which under Cavanagh's direction, will focus on foot care in primary care. "If our goal is to reduce the more than 65,000 leg amputations that occur annually in people with diabetes, the emphasis must be on preventing the early changes that eventually lead to amputation," Cavanagh says.

With Penn State colleagues Jan Ulbrecht, Greg Caputo, Paul Juliano, and Terry Stock, Cavanagh takes part in the Penn State Diabetes Foot Clinics at University Park and Hershey. These clinics have provided care for more than 1,000 patients with foot problems and are the setting for research on foot complications in diabetes.

During American Diabetes Month in November, both clinics will offer free foot screening sessions. More details can be obtained by calling (814) 865-1972.

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Contact: Pam Peterson, (814) 865-2155 or Mailto: pxp12@email.psu.edu