Medicine in the Movies - Drew University

Revolving around Truvy's Beauty Parlor in a small parish in modern-day Louisiana, this is the story of a close-knit circle of friends whose lives come together there. Shelby is a diabetic and getting married to a rich lawyer. Her mother M'Lynn is bossy, but caring. M'Lynn's friends include a cast of colorful and dynamic southern women of a multitude of ages and views. Shelby falls pregnant, and a pregnancy could be fatal for someone of Shelby's condition…. Through the views of these different women we see love, apathy, pain, loss, secrecy and a desperate attempt at living a life of happiness.

About the speaker: Dr. Diana Echeverry received her Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern California, and her Masters in Public Health in Community Medicine and Health Education from Loma Linda University. She then obtained her M.D. from Ross University School of Medicine, and completed her residency and fellowship at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, where she is an Assistant Professor of Medicine. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, and takes care of patients with endocrinological diseases, particularly diabetes, at the MLK Jr., Multi-Ambulatory Care Center.

Some of Dr. Echeverry’s research publications include literacy in diabetes education, diabetes neuropathy, and clinical research in minority populations. She has made numerous presentations, both in English and Spanish, on topics such as osteoporosis in minority women, diabetes and pregnancy, diabetes self-management, childhood obesity, thyroid disease, and psychosocial implications in chronic disease management. She currently is carrying out a prospective study on treating depression in underserved minorities with diabetes mellitus. She is involved in several professional associations, including American Diabetes Association, American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, and the American College of Physicians.