Fulbright Scholar Visits Bloomfield College
Alicia Cook alicia_cook@bloomfield.edu
On Monday, May 23, Dr. Reginald Oputa, a Fulbright Visiting Scholar from Nigeria, presented “Diabetes Mellitus: A Global Epidemic with Potential Solution” at Bloomfield College.
Dr. Oputa is a Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist. His Fulbright tenure is at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Dr. Oputa’s research focuses include diabetes education, care and advocacy, classification and management of diabetes mellitus, and treatment of thyroid disorders.
His presentation, which was complemented by PowerPoint, covered what he describes as “one of the largest global emergencies of the 21st century,” in great detail. Dr. Oputa reported that one in every 11 adults have diabetes. This means, with 7.30 billion people in the world, there are 415 million known cases of diabetes. In 2015, five million deaths connected to diabetes were reported.
Dr. Oputa spoke about what can be done to halt the rise of diabetes throughout the world. These prevention tactics include adopting a healthier lifestyle, passing policies which limit sugar, salt, and fat intake, hosting national screening and survey programs, implementing Public Health education in all nations, and diagnosing it earlier to better manage the disease throughout one’s life.
He went on to discuss recommendations for a healthier diet and medical management before opening the floor up to questions.
In addition to his MD degree, Dr. Oputa holds a Master of Science Degree in Chemical Pathology. He is a fellow of the West African College of Physicians and the Endocrinology and Metabolism Society of Nigeria. He is the Vice President of the Society and the Chairman of the Diabetes Association of Nigeria, Imo State Chapter. He has been published over 40 times in both local and international scientific journals.
Bloomfield College had the distinct honor of having Dr. Oputa on campus thanks to the Fulbright Scholar Program, which assists U.S. colleges and universities to expand academic knowledge and enhance research. These scholars exchange ideas with U.S. students and their college communities, become well acquainted with U.S. higher education, and create linkages between their home and host institutions.
Dr. Oputa’s visit was hosted by the Office of International Programs and Services. In an increasingly globalized world, Bloomfield College acknowledges the value of international programs by expanding the enrollment of matriculated international students and creating campus internationalization initiatives. This was the first time Bloomfield College hosted a Fulbright Scholar lecture on campus, and the College looks forward to hosting more opportunities of cultural and academic exchange to help students grow and develop as model citizens in a globalized world.
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