Health Briefs 02-15-16
Classes, seminars
n Innovations in Medicine: What is Diverticular Disease?, 6 p.m. today, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. Dr. Arshad Bachelani, general surgeon, will define diverticular disease and discuss the symptoms, diagnosis and treatments. Registration: 724-258-1333.
n Managing Your Diabetes, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. Topics include the importance of controlling your blood sugars, diabetes medications, lifestyle changes, meal planning and methods to reduce your risk of complications. Registration required: 724-258-1483.
n Healthy eating supermarket tours, 2-4 p.m. Wednesday, Fisher Heights Giant Eagle, 1300 Country Club Road, Monongahela. Health-care professionals from Monongahela Valley Hospital’s Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology will conduct the tours and discuss “Heart Healthy Eating.” Registration required: 724-258-1483.
n Childbirth and labor preparation courses, 7-9 p.m. Saturday, Community Room 1, main lobby, Uniontown Hospital. Family Beginnings Birthing Center nurses will teach about pregnancy discomforts, labor and delivery, pain relief options, potential complications, breathing and relaxation, self and infant care, etc. A tour of the center will also be offered. Preregistration required: 724-430-4646.
n Innovations in Medicine: Running Injury Treatments, 6 p.m. Feb. 22, Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. To learn more about treatments for common injuries associated with recreational and competitive runners, Dr. Shaka Walker, an orthopedic surgeon with The Orthopedic Group, will discuss this topic. Registration: 724-258-1333.
n Infant and child CPR class, 6-9 p.m. Feb. 25, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. Sign up to learn emergency lifesaving techniques of clearing airway obstructions and CPR. The $40 fee is payable to the Valley Health and Safety Training Center and advance registration is required: 724-684-9536.
Support groups
n Caring Corner Grief Support Program for families and children, 6-8 p.m. every Monday, East End United Community Center, Uniontown. Information: 724-437-1660.
n Survivors of Incest Anonymous meeting, 6:30-8 p.m. every Monday, Mount St. Macrina Retreat Center, Uniontown. The group is a 12-step recovery program for people 18 or older who were sexually abused by a trusted person as a child. Information: peopleofcourage@gmail.com or siawso.org.
n Silver Generation Support Program, 10 a.m. to noon every Wednesday, East End United Community Center. The program is for adults ages 55 and older. Information: 724-437-1660.
n Al-Anon Family Groups, 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Trinity Church basement, Fayette and Morgantown streets, Uniontown and 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Christian Church, Pittsburgh Street, Connellsville. These meetings are for anyone who has been affected by or is having problems from someone else’s drinking. Information: al-anon.alateen.org or pa-al-anon.org.
n Grief Share, a faith-centered grief support group, 7 p.m. Wednesdays, Uniontown Church of the Brethren, 20 Robinson St., Uniontown. The meetings will begin Jan. 20. Information: 724-438-8372.
n Celebrate Recovery meetings, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays, Third Presbyterian Church, 425 Union St., Uniontown; and 10 a.m. Saturdays, Abundant Life Church, 1239 Brownfield Road, Uniontown. The program is based upon biblical principles with the purpose of letting God restore the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual health.
n Suicide bereavement support group, 6 p.m. today and Feb. 22. This group is a four-month program that meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month. The program is led by a licensed psychologist and is free and open to all those touched by suicide. Registration is required: 724-268-1144.
n Prostate cancer support group, 6 p.m. Wednesday, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. All prostate cancer patients, families and caregivers are invited to attend this free support group. Information: 724-292-9404.
n Stroke support group, 6-8 p.m. Feb. 18, Community Room 1, main lobby, Uniontown Hospital. Stroke survivors, caregivers, loved ones and anyone interested in learning more about stroke is invited. Monthly meetings include a guest speaker, blood pressure readings, medication review and any other information requested. Information: 724-430-5212.
n Diabetes support group, 6-9 p.m. Feb. 24, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. This group is free for people with diabetes, their families and caregivers. Registration required: 724-258-1483.
n Stroke support group, 1-2:30 p.m. Feb. 25, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The 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 aftereffects. Information: 724-258-1455.
n Stepping Stones bereavement support for newly bereaved, 7 p.m. March 7, Fayette County Health Center, 100 New Salem Road, Uniontown. Anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one is welcome to participate. There is no charge. The meetings will run every Monday for 10 weeks with different topics each week. Information and registration: 724-438-9373 or 724-439-1683.
n Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern PA has a support group for women who have been or who currently are in abusive relationships. It is a confidential, low-pressure, safe place. Information: 724-223-9190 or 800-791-4000 in Washington, 724-852-2463 in Greene or 724-439-9500 in Fayette.
n Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County provides quality services for all victims and families of sexual assault and other violent crimes. Most services are free, and all services are strictly confidential. Information: 724-438-1470; Crisis Hotline: 724-437-3737.
Community events
n “Go Red, Washington County” Monongahela Valley Hospital events, Tuesday, Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. Free blood pressure screenings and stroke risk assessments, noon-3 p.m.; hourlong fitness and cooking demonstrations, 1-3 p.m. There will be healthy refreshments, fire giveaways and a raffle. Registrations necessary: 724-258-1333.
n “Go Red, Washington County” Canonsburg Hospital, Feb. 25, McNary Conference Center, Canonsburg. Heart healthy nutrition with Melisa Fabyonic, 1-1:45 p.m.; health care at home with Lauree Criss, 1:45-2 p.m.; Heart Health with cardiologist Dr. J. Travis Wilson, 2-2:45 p.m.; Silver Sneakers with Tanieccia Betty, 3-3:45 p.m. There will also be a give-a-way, chair massages from Tyson Swigar, D.C. of Southpointe Chiropractic, health screenings and more.
n “Go Red, Washington County” Washington Health Systems, Feb. 25, Wilfred R. Cameron Wellness Center, Washington. Triathlon for employees and members. Prizes awarded to triathlon winners and team who raised the most money, 6 a.m.; Zumbathon, open to the public with a minimum $5 donation. Free gift for all who attend, 6 p.m.; Strokes for Strokes Painting with a Twist fundraiser. Tickets $35 per person., 1-4 p.m. Feb. 28. Washington will also sell T-shirts and offer free blood pressure screenings.