Health
- Last Updated on Saturday, 29 August 2015 15:04
Monongahela Valley Hospital is sponsoring a variety of informative programs this month. Many of the events will be held in the hospital’s Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center (ECC) unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 1, 2 and 3 – Managing Your Diabetes
8:30 – 11:30 a.m., Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. This educational program is designed to help you with diabetes self-management. You will learn, “What is diabetes?” Other topics include the importance of controlling your blood sugars, diabetes medications, lifestyle changes, meal planning and methods to reduce your risk of complications. The program is three consecutive days with either morning or evening classes available each month. Registration is required at least one week prior to the start date of class by calling 724-258-1483.
Thursday, Sept. 3 – Innovations in Medicine: Am I at Risk for Fractures?
6 p.m. Thomas F. Brockmeyer, M.D., Ph.D., orthopedic surgeon, will discuss fractures of fragile bones. Refreshments will be served and parking is free. To register, call 724-258-1333.
Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Better Breathers Club
2 – 3 p.m., ECC. Employees from the COPD Foundation and the MVH Primary Care Resource Center Clinical Team will discuss education, support and research from the COPD Foundation. This club is free and open to all adults and their families, friends or caregivers who want to learn or share information about living well with breathing issues. This group meets the second Tuesday of every month. For more information, call 724-258-1932.
Tuesday, Sept. 8 – Alzheimer’s Support Group
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.
Tuesday, Sept. 8 – RSDS Support Group
6 - 8 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.
Wednesday, Sept. 9 – Community CPR Instruction
11 a.m., Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. Adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes are offered by Monongahela Valley Hospital in conjunction with Rostraver EMS. The fee for the class is $35 to cover the class and required materials. To register, call 724-872-9200.
Wednesday, Sept. 9 — Prostate Cancer Screening and Education Program
5:30 p.m., ECC. The prostate cancer screening and education program is free. At the screening, men will be offered a digital rectal exam (DRE), the standard test for prostate cancer; a hemocult test and a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. The screening and education program will be conducted by staff from the MVH Medical Staff and Regional Cancer Center. For more information and to register, call 724-258-1333.
Thursday, Sept. 10 – Advanced Carbohydrate Counting
9 - 11 a.m., ECC. This program is a diabetes self-management class designed to educate you on how to count carbohydrate content of food to improve blood sugar control. Topics include how to track effects of carbohydrates and blood sugar, your glycemic index and how to read food nutrition labels. Registration is required at least one week prior to the start date of class by calling 724-258-1483.
Friday, Sept. 11 – Auxiliary “Ekernally Yours” Popcorn Sale
11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Main Hospital Lobby. Pop on by to pick up some locally-popped, traditional movie theatre popcorn or be daring and try some of the more unique flavors. 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.
Saturday, Sept. 12 – Drug Take Back Day
10 a.m. to 2 p.m., ECC circular driveway. MVH and the Carroll Township Police Department serve as one local host of Drug Take Back Day, a convenient and safe way for residents to remove unused drugs from their medicine cabinets. People can merely drive to the circular loop, drop off their medication and leave — no parking, no walking. Remove any personal information from the bottles or packages of expired, unwanted or unused controlled, non-controlled or over-the-counter medications. Liquid products and creams in their containers are acceptable. Sharps and syringes will not be accepted. Donors remain anonymous and police will not request identification. For more information, call 724-258-1333.
Monday, Sept. 14 – Breast Cancer Support Group
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.
Mondays, Sept. 14 and 28 – Suicide Bereavement Support Group
6 p.m., ECC. This support group is a four-month program that meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month. This program is led by a licensed psychologist and is free and open to all those touched by suicide. Registration is required by calling 724-268-1144.
Tuesday, Sept. 15 – Healthy Eating Supermarket Tour
1 – 3 p.m., Rostraver Shop ‘n Save, 600 Willowbrook Plaza, Belle Vernon. 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.
Wednesday, Sept. 16 – Ladies Night Out: An Evening of Beauty
6 – 8 p.m., Arlecchino Ristorante, 133 Camp Lane, McMurray, Pa. 15317. Attention, Ladies! Join us for cocktails, canapés and cosmetics as well as free facial and spider vein consultations from Laurie Molinda, M.D. Also, don’t miss the opportunity to be entered to win a free treatment (valued at $250) from Dr. Molinda. Space is limited. Registration is required by calling 724-258-1333.
Thursday, Sept. 17 – Ostomy Support Group
2 – 3 p.m., ECC. This support group is free and open to all persons with ostomies and their families and friends. The group meets the third Thursday of every other month. For more information, call 724-258-1773.
Thursday, Sept. 17 – Diabetes Support Group
6 - 8 p.m., ECC. This support program is free for people with diabetes, their families and caregivers. The topic will be “Understanding Diabetes Medications.” Advance registration is required by calling 724-258-1483.
Thursday, Sept. 17 – When It’s Time to Seek Help: A Clinical Perspective on Mental Wellness
6 p.m. Oscar Urrea, M.D. psychiatrist, Psychiatric Care Systems, will speak from a clinical perspective as part of this free Mental Wellness Series led by partners, Monongahela Valley Hospital and Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Inc. To register, call 724-258-1333.
Friday, Sept. 18 – Auxiliary Clothing Sale
10 a.m., Hospital Main Lobby. Pick up some of the latest fashions at extraordinary prices. You won’t believe it. 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.
Monday, Sept. 21 – Cancer Support Group
6 p.m., ECC. 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, email leicher@monvalleyhospital.com or call 724-258-1475.
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Sept. 22, 23 and 24 – Managing Your Diabetes
6 – 9 p.m., ECC. This educational program is designed to help you with diabetes self-management. You will learn, “What is diabetes?” Other topics include the importance of controlling your blood sugars, diabetes medications, lifestyle changes, meal planning and methods to reduce your risk of complications. The program is three consecutive days with either morning or evening classes available each month. Registration is required at least one week prior to the start date of class by calling 724-258-1483.
Wednesday, Sept. 23 – Fourth Street Barbeque
11 a.m. – 3 p.m., Hospital Main Lobby. Enjoy wings, pulled 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.
Thursday, Sept. 24 – Stroke Support Group
1 – 3 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 the after-effects. The group meets the last Thursday of each month. For more information, call 724-258-1455.
Thursday, Sept. 24 – Public First-Aid Instruction
6 – 8 p.m., ECC. Adult first aid classes are offered by the hospital in conjunction with Valley Health and Safety Training Center (VHSTC). The $30 fee is payable to VHSTC and advance registration is required by calling 724-684-9536.
Saturday, Sept. 26 - Multiphasic Blood Analysis
7 - 10 a.m., ECC. This 37-function screening costs only $25 and is open to the public. Participants are asked to provide the full name and complete address of the physician to whom their test results will be sent afterwards. Other blood draw testing is available for an added cost. Influenza vaccines also will be available for $25 — cash only. Testing is by appointment only. The deadline to register is Wednesday, Sept. 23, and registrations must be made Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. by calling 724-258-1282.
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Adult CPR Instruction
6 - 9 p.m., ECC. Adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes are offered by Monongahela Valley Hospital in conjunction with Valley Health and Safety Training Center (VHSTC). The $40 fee is payable to VHSTC and advance registration is required by calling 724-684-9536.
Tuesday, Sept. 29 – Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For You?
6 p.m., Mon-Vale HealthPLEX, room 120. Monongahela Valley Hospital now offers weight loss surgery. Bariatric surgery is an option for people wanting to lose 100 pounds or more. This free informational session is designed to give those individuals struggling with weight loss the facts to choose their best option. To learn if you are a candidate for this surgery, join Hiram Gonzalez, M.D., as he discusses this topic in detail. To register, call 724-258-1333.
Wednesday, Sept. 30 – Talk With a Doc: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
7 p.m., Mt. Lebanon Public Library, 16 Castle Shannon Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15228. Surgeon Gerson Florez, M.D., will present a free program to discuss the symptoms and causes of carpel tunnel syndrome. He will also review how physicians diagnose this numbness, tingling, weakness or other related problems in the hand from pressure on the nerves in the wrist. He will review the treatment options available, including nonsurgical treatments such as wrist splinting, steroid injections and therapy. Dr. Florez will gladly answer questions at the end of his talk. Light refreshments will be served. Please call to register at 724-258-1333.