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The North Shore-LIJ Health
System recently formed a Lions
Club International chapter,
the Manhasset North Shore-
LIJ Lions, with the mission to provide
resources and support for the prevention
and treatment of diabetes in Long Island
communities.
Approximately 26 million people in
the United States have diabetes and one in
four is unaware. Estimates range as high as
79 million who have pre-diabetes and are
at a high risk for developing the disease.
“Without prevention and treatment, the
numbers will continue to rise,” said Tracy
Breen, MD, director of diabetes care for
North Shore-LIJ. “Many Americans live
with undiagnosed diabetes and don’t even
know it. Routine checkups and blood work
are the best prevention methods, and
access to that care is essential.”
“As a major healthcare provider,
it is our responsibility to provide
multidisciplinary diabetes care and
prevention services to our communities,”
said Susan Somerville, executive director
of North Shore University Hospital.
“Awareness is essential and our Lions
Club’s charter is another step to helping
make each community aware of the
diabetes services available. With the
additional support of dedicated Lions
members and volunteers, we have the
ability to make a difference for thousands
of at-risk New Yorkers.”
Research shows that patients with
diabetes or pre-diabetes, who are not
carefully managed, experience poorer
outcomes such as blindness, kidney failure
and damage to the heart and circulatory
system. The health system’s diabetes
task force combines the expertise of
the departments of nursing, nutrition,
medicine, surgery, pharmacy, social work,
laboratory and quality management to
Shown from left: Pat Webb McNally, guiding Lion, Rockville Centre Lions Club; Stephen Dean, district
governor; Marie Frazzitta; and Wing-Kun Tam, Lions Clubs International President.
Manhasset North Shore-LIJ
Lions Club Receives Charter
for Chapter to Address Diabetes
reduce the incidence of diabetes and
coordinate patient care. “The best way
to treat diabetes is to prevent it,” said
Marie Frazzitta, director of diabetes
education for North Shore-LIJ, president
of the Manhasset North Shore-LIJ Lions
Club and co-chair of the health system’s
diabetes task force. “Our new Lions
Club is committed to helping provide the
screening and educational resources and
services to begin battling diabetes before
it strikes, and to keep those diagnosed as
healthy as possible.”
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