Health

Last Updated on Monday, 26 January 2015 23:40

Monongahela Valley Hospital is sponsoring a variety of informative programs in February. Many of the events will be held in the hospital's Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center (ECC) unless otherwise noted.

Breast Cancer Support Group - Monday, Feb. 2 from 2 – 4 p.m., Hospital, 7-East Family Room. This support group is free and open to all breast cancer patients and their families. The group meets the first Monday of each month. For more information, call 724-258-1704.

Managing Your Diabetes - Tuesday, Feb. 3 – Thursday, Feb. 5 from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m., ECC. This program is designed to provide tools for daily diabetes self-management. Those attending will learn how to monitor blood sugar, understand diabetes medications and insulin, manage low and high blood sugars, improve his or her lifestyle, better understand carbohydrates and plan meals. The program runs for three consecutive days with either morning or evening classes available each month. Advance registration is required at least one week prior to the start of the scheduled class. For more information or to register, call 724-258-1483.

Smoking Cessation Program - Tuesdays, Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24 from 6 - 8 p.m., Monongahela Valley Hospital. Classes are offered at no charge to Primary Care Resource Center (PCRC) patients, MVH employees and anyone with a referral from an MVH-affiliated primary care physician. For all others, the cost for the complete program is $20. Space is limited and registration is required. To register, call 724-258-1932.

Innovations in Medicine – Knee Arthritis; Cartilage Injury to Total Replacement - Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 6 p.m., Mon-Vale HealthPLEX, Willow Room. Ari Pressman, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, will present a free program to discuss ailments of the knee including the causes and treatments of knee arthritis, cartilage injuries and total knee replacement. This presentation is part of MVH's "Innovations in Medicine" programming featuring physician guest speakers providing medical information to the community. Light refreshments will be served and parking is free. To register, call 724-258-1333.

MVH Blood Drive - Friday, Feb. 6 from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., ECC. Monongahela Valley Hospital, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, is sponsoring a blood drive to benefit local patients. Free parking is available. For more information or to register, call 724-494-4090 or register online at redcrosslife.org.

Fourth Street Barbeque - Friday, Feb. 6 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hospital Main Lobby. Enjoy wings, pork, ribs and some special sides. This event is open to the public and takeout is available. Sponsored by the Auxiliary of Mon-Vale Health Resources, Inc., proceeds will be used to enhance services for patients and visitors at Monongahela Valley Hospital. For more information, call 724-258-1167.

Suicide Bereavement Support Group - Mondays, Feb. 9 and 23 at 6 p.m., ECC. This support group is a four-month program that meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month — the additional meeting dates beyond Feb. are March 9 and 23; April 13 and 27; and May 11 and 25. This program is led by a licensed psychologist and is free and open to all those touched by suicide. Registration is required by the Friday before the start of classes. To register, call 724-268-1144.

Snowy's Eats N' Treats Candy Sale - Monday, Feb. 9 at 8:30 a.m., Hospital Main Lobby. Treat yourself or your loved ones to delicious chocolate and candy delights. This event is sponsored by the Auxiliary of Mon-Vale Health Resources, Inc. Proceeds from the event will be used to enhance services for patients and visitors at Monongahela Valley Hospital. For more information, call 724-258-1167.

RSDS Support Group - Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., ECC. The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome (RSDS) Support Group is free and open to all persons with RSDS or related illnesses. For more information, call 724-929-9492.

Better Breathers Club - Tuesday, Feb. 10 from 2 – 3 p.m., ECC. The Better Breathers Club is free and open to all adults and their family, friends or caregivers who want to learn or share information about living well with breathing issues. This month, a special guest speaker will discuss a related topic of interest. This group meets the second Tuesday of every month. For more details or information, call 724-258-1932 or 724-344-0287.

Alzheimer's Support Group - Tuesday, Feb. 10 at 6 p.m., ECC. This free support group meets the second Tuesday of each month. It is designed to help the family members, friends and caregivers of those suffering from Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Attendees discuss the challenges of coping with this disorder as well as techniques for managing stress and methods of encouraging social engagement. Reservations are requested by calling 724-258-1333.

Prostate Cancer Support Group - Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 6 p.m., ECC. All prostate cancer patients, families and caregivers are invited to attend this free support group. For more information, call 724-292-9404.

Advanced Carbohydrate Counting - Wednesday, Feb. 11 from 6 – 8 p.m., ECC. This session builds on the education received in the "Managing Your Diabetes" program. Learn more about food choices, dining out and how personal eating habits affect your blood glucose control. Completion of the three-day "Diabetes Self-Management Training" is required prior to attending this class. Registration is required at least one week prior to the start of the class. For more information or to register, call 724-258-1483.

Innovations in Medicine – Treating Cancer with Radiation - Thursday, Feb. from 12 –6 p.m., ECC. Mohsen Isaac, M.D., radiation oncologist, will present a free program to discuss the latest cancer treatments. This program is part of MVH's "Innovations in Medicine" talks featuring physician guest speakers providing medical information to the community. Light refreshments will be served and parking is free. To register, call 724-258-1333.

Cancer Support Group - Monday, Feb. 16 at 2 p.m., Hospital, 7-East Family Room. This support group is free and open to all cancer patients and their families. The group meets the third Monday of each month. For additional information, call 724-258-1704.

Managing Your Diabetes - Tuesday, Feb. 17 – Thursday, Feb. 19 from 6 – 9 p.m., ECC. This program is designed to provide tools for daily diabetes self-management. Those attending will learn how to monitor blood sugar, understand diabetes medications and insulin, manage low and high blood sugars, improve his or her lifestyle, better understand carbohydrates and plan meals. The program runs for three consecutive days with either morning or evening classes available each month. Advance registration is required at least one week prior to the start of the scheduled class. For more information or to register, call 724-258-1483.

Healthy Eating Supermarket Tours - Thursday, Feb. 19 from 2 – 4 p.m., Finleyville Giant Eagle, 3701 Route 88, Finleyville. Learn how to choose foods at the supermarket to manage a healthier lifestyle. Health care professionals from Monongahela Valley Hospital's Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology will conduct the tours and discuss "Heart Healthy Eating." The program is free, but space is limited. Advance registration is required by calling 724-258-1483.

Diabetes Support Group - Wednesday, Feb. 25 from 6 - 8 p.m., ECC. This support program is free for people with diabetes, their families and caregivers. The topic will be, "Love your Heart." Advance registration is required by calling 724-258-1483.

Stroke Support Group - Thursday, Feb. 26 from 1 – 2:30 p.m., ECC. The Stroke Support Group is designed for patients and caregivers to share, learn and grow with people who can personally relate to the daily challenges and struggles they face dealing with strokes and their after-effects. The group meets the last Thursday of each month. For more information, call 724-258-1455.

"Go Red" Washington County - Thursday, Feb. 26 from 4 - 8 p.m. ECC. How healthy is your heart? While heart disease is both preventable and controllable, it remains the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States. Monongahela Valley Hospital invites the community to celebrate American Heart Month with these free heart health education programs: a healthy cooking demonstration and tasting; an "Innovations in Medicine" talk on stroke by Pushpa Kumari, M.D., and a discussion on heart Health and physical fitness by Craig Wolfley, 12-year NFL veteran, former team member of the Pittsburgh Steelers, and radio and television personality. To register, call 724-258-1333.

Infant and Child CPR Class - Thursday, Feb. 26 from 6 - 9 p.m., ECC. Learn how to help a choking baby or small child. Sign up to learn emergency life saving techniques of clearing airway obstructions and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The $40 fee is payable to VHSTC and advance registration is required by calling the Valley Health and Safety Training Center at 724-684-9536.