Health Briefs 02-29-16
Classes, seminars
n Managing Your Diabetes, 8:30-11:30 a.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center (ECC), Monongahela Valley Hospital. Topics include the importance of controlling your blood sugars, diabetes medications, lifestyle changes, meal planning and methods to reduce the risk of complications. Registration required: 724-258-1483.
n Childbirth and labor preparation courses, 7-9 p.m. Tuesday and March 8 and 15, Community Room 1, main lobby, Uniontown Hospital. During the labor preparation classes Family Beginnings Birthing Center nurses 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 during class. Preregistration required: 724-430-4646.
n Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For You?, 6 p.m. Thursday, Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. This information session is designed to give people struggling with weight loss the facts to choose their best option. Dr. Hiram Gonzalez will discuss this topic in detail. Registration: 724-258-1333.
n What is Heart Disease? 6 p.m. Thursday, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The first seminar in a three part Innovations in Medicine series will address the many facets of heart disease. Dr. R.G. Krishnan will discuss what heart disease is and how it is diagnosed. Registration: 724-258-1333.
n Look Good Feel Better, 1-3 p.m. March 7, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The American Cancer Society designed this program for women dealing with hair loss and skin changes from chemotherapy and radiation. Presenters will provide specific treatment techniques to help ladies look their best while undergoing treatment. All that register more than five days prior to the event will receive a makeup package valued at $200. Registration: 1-800-227-2345.
n Advanced Carbohydrate Counting, 9-11 a.m. March 9, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. Topics include how to track effects of carbohydrates and blood sugar, your glycemic index and how to read food nutrition labels. Registration required: 724-258-1483.
n Community CPR instruction, 11 a.m. March 9, Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. Adult CPR classes are offered by Monongahela Valley Hospital and Rostraver EMS. The fee is $35 to cover the class and required materials. Registration: 724-872-9200.
n How is Heart Disease Treated?, 6 p.m. March 10, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center, Monongahela Valley Hospital. The second seminar that is a part of a three part Innovations in Medicine series will address the many facets of heart disease. Dr. John J. Pacella will discuss how to manage and treat heart disease. Registration: 724-258-1333.
n Healthy Eating Supermarket Tours, 6-8 p.m. March 10, Finleyville Giant Eagle, 3701 Route 88, Finleyville. Learn how to read a food label 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 registration is required: 724-258-1483.
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 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 Breast cancer support group, 2-4 p.m. March 7, 7-East Family Room, Monongahela Valley Hospital. This group is free and open to all breast cancer patients and their families. Information: 724-258-1704.
n Life After Weight Loss support group, 6:30-8:30 p.m. March 7, the Center for Weight Loss Surgery, 100 Woodlawn Ave., Suite 100, Uniontown. Anyone considering, scheduled for or have had gastric bypass or lap band procedure is invited. Each meeting will feature a guest speaker on a topic related to obesity and/or weight loss surgery, a group member testimonial and an open forum. Information: 724-430-LOSE(5673).
n RSDS support group, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 8, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center (ECC), Monongahela Valley Hospital. This group is free and open to all persons with RSDS or related illnesses. Information: 724-929-9492.
n Alzheimer’s support group, 6 p.m. March 8, Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center (ECC), Monongahela Valley Hospital. It is designed to help the family members, friends and caregivers of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Reservations requested: 724-258-1333.
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 announcements
n Winners of the 2016 pro-life essay contest include: first place, Sophia Soloman (grade seven), Geibel Catholic School; second place, Gabrielle Goodwin (grade six), Conn-Area Catholic School; third place, Mia Baranowski (grade 8), St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School. Honorable mentions include: Mary Byers (grade 8) St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School, Sophia Gaggiani (grade 7) Geibel Catholic School, Madison Duke (grade 8) St. John the Evangelist Regional Catholic School, Audra Holonich (grade 6) Conn-Area Catholic School and Gregory Lincoln (grade 6) Conn-Area Catholic School.