Today, the Rhode Island Department of Health (HEALTH) presented gastroenterologist Dr. Joseph DiMase with a Community Partnership Award. This award is presented to individuals or groups in Rhode Island whose contributions are exceptional and support the mission of HEALTH.
Dr. DiMase was concerned that there was a two-year wait for colon cancer screening exams in underserved communities. As a result, he created Screening Colonoscopies for Underserved Populations (SCUP). DiMase created a professional advisory board for SCUP, recruited physicians to volunteer their services, approached hospitals to offer time and space for procedures, and got donations of colon preparation products from the manufacturer. In addition, he works with the Rhode Island Health Center Association (RIHCA) to recruit and refer eligible patients.
Since its inception, SCUP has provided more than 100 free procedures for uninsured, low-income adults. SCUP’s goal for 2010 is to provide as many as 300 free procedures.
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