Dua is a member of the American College of Cardiology. He also served as a Fellow in Medicine (Cardiology) and then as Assistant Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, N.Y.
Dua said he enjoys getting to know his patients and treats them like family. Whether hearing about their children’s accomplishments or taking medical history, Dua values patient interactions as the most rewarding part of his job.
“I feel like I was brought to this earth to do what I’m doing today,” said Dua. “I’m truly a people person and my goal is to be a servant in the field of cardiology. I enjoy taking care of patients, making a diagnosis and getting them on the right path. I look to solve every problem, whether it’s relieving chest pain or treating heart failure. I practice preventative medicine and quick symptom relief to promote long-term health and longevity.”
In his spare time, Dua enjoys running and has participated in many road races over the past 30-plus years.
Hamilton Medical Center (HMC) is providing free heart health assessments at various locations in Northwest Georgia and Southeast Tennessee in February.
February is American Heart Month, and HMC is encouraging people to focus on their cardiovascular health. Local assessments will include cholesterol, glucose and blood pressure checks. Participants may enter to win a heart health basket.
Assessments include:
Monday, Feb. 12, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Gordon County Senior Center, 150 Cambridge Court, Calhoun
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to noon, Dalton-Whitfield Senior Center, 302 Cappes St., Dalton
Monday, Feb. 19, 10 a.m. to noon, Murray County Senior Center, 820 G.I. Maddox Parkway, Chatsworth
Tuesday, Feb. 20, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Bradley Wellness Center, 1225 Broadrick Drive, Dalton
Friday, Feb. 23, 9 to 11 a.m., Cleveland Senior Activity Center, 230 Urbane Rd NE, Cleveland
Monday, Feb. 26, 9 to 11 a.m., Catoosa County Senior Center, 144 Catoosa Circle, Ringgold
If you would like to attend any of these events and need assistance with interpretation services and/or auxiliary aids, please call 706-272-6114 at least one day prior to the event. To help prevent heart disease, you can choose healthy habits like consuming healthy foods and drinks, maintaining a healthy weight, getting regular physical activity and by not smoking.
Hamilton Medical Center’s (HMC) Cardiac Rehabilitation Program has continued to provide safe services throughout the pandemic.
“We certainly understand the reluctance that some people have in coming in for rehab,” says Tina Haithcock, Cardiac Rehabilitation Program manager. “We want people to know that we’ve taken additional steps to keep everyone safe, because it’s still very important to participate in a cardiac rehab program when your condition warrants it.”
According to Haithcock, staff are screening everyone at the door, limiting class sizes, social distancing, enhancing cleaning processes and keeping exercise equipment separated by 10 feet.
Dr. Jim Stewart
“When you’ve had a cardiac event, and cardiac rehab is prescribed by your doctor, following through and participating in cardiac rehab significantly lowers your chance of having another life-threatening event,” says Jim Stewart, MD, board certified interventional and structural cardiologist. “It also lowers your chance of needing to be readmitted to the hospital and boosts your chances of getting back to an active lifestyle.”
Hamilton’s Cardiac Rehab program can help patients feel healthier and allow them to return to a full and productive life and help prevent other heart problems. Those who have had a heart attack, bypass surgery, stents, congestive heart failure, or other cardiovascular disease are strong candidates for the program.
Cardiac Rehab at Bradley Wellness Center is a 12-week, medically supervised program for the recovering cardiac patient. The program includes monitored exercises, educational sessions, dietary consults, and behavioral change interventions. The goal of this program is to equip the patient with the necessary tools to be able to make the appropriate choices and changes to help increase his or her physical, mental and emotional well-being.
The program includes: • Initial interview with a cardiac rehabilitation specialist who will carefully evaluate the needs of the patient and recommend an individualized program • Personal, supervised, monitored exercise sessions • Patient and family education (individual and group sessions) • Cholesterol testing • Nutritional counseling • Assistance in developing a safe home exercise program • Encouragement and support from the staff.
Haithcock says patients are treated like family. “We’re going to do all we can to keep you safe,” she says.
Tina Haithcock, Clinical Services Manager
Hamilton’s cardiac team consists of physicians, a registered nurse, exercise physiologists, and a registered dietitian who work together to provide specialized services including exercise prescriptions, dietary consults and education on various health topics for the patient and their family.
After graduating from Hamilton’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Program, each patient is encouraged to continue exercise with the maintenance program called PREP (Progressive Rehabilitation Exercise Program).
A physician’s referral is required for Cardiac Rehab and PREP. After receiving the physician’s referral, a staff member will contact the patient to set an appointment for an initial assessment. Upon completion, the program is ready to begin.
Hamilton Medical Center will host a stroke simulation event in front of Bradley Wellness Center from 10 a.m. to noon on Friday, May 17.
“When it’s a stroke, every second counts,” said Meagan Darnell, Stroke Program coordinator. “Getting the right level of care quickly is extremely important.”
“Knowing the signs of stroke, how to prevent it, and how to help others around you, just might save a life,” Darnell said.
American Diabetes Alert Day is today, March 26. Observed annually on the fourth Tuesday in March, Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day “wake-up call” that focuses on the seriousness of diabetes and the importance of understanding your risk. Common risk factors include: family history of diabetes, overweight, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, increased age, high blood pressure and history of gestational diabetes. Pictured are some staff members from Hamilton Diabetes and Endocrinology Center.
Growing up, Russell participated in swim teams all the way through college where he attended the University of Georgia and swam under Jack Bauerle, who has been the U.S. Olympic Team head coach.
Russell achieved many accolades in his swimming days, including 26 state championships in Georgia and state records in five different events. He also served as the president of the Chattanooga Area Swim League (CASL) in 2015, and all of his children swam for the Dalton Dolphins.
After not swimming competitively for almost 40 years, Russell won a three-month Bradley Wellness Center membership at the Whitfield Healthcare Foundation Golf Classic in April of 2018 and decided to start training again. After a friend told him about the Senior Olympics, he did some research and thought he could contend with the current top swimmers. He swims five days a week between 2,000 and 3,000 meters in each practice.
At his first competition at the Chattanooga District Senior Olympics (Age 55-59 category), he won five gold medals. He also met the qualifying standards for the National Senior Olympics which will be held in June of 2019 in Albuquerque, N.M.
“I believe having a goal to enter a competition gave me a reason to train harder in my workouts,” he said.
In addition to the benefits of winning, Russell has lost about 10 pounds and improved his blood pressure. He is a type 1 diabetic and wears an insulin pump.
“By getting in better shape by swimming, he has been able to keep his blood sugar levels under control and expects that training hard for nationals over the next seven months will put him in the best shape of his life,” said Megan Stockburger, program supervisor. “We are so proud of Randy and wish him the very best of luck at his future competitions!”