Health

Last Updated on Friday, 30 October 2015 12:45

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.

Monday, Nov. 2 – 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.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 3, 4 and 5 – 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.

Tuesdays, Nov. 3, 10, 17 and 24 – Smoking Cessation Program

6 - 8 p.m., Mon-Vale HealthPLEX, Room 120. 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.

Thursday, Nov. 5 – Healthy Eating Supermarket Tour

4 – 6 p.m., Giant Eagle in 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 recognizing Diabetes Awareness Day and discussing “Holiday Meal Planning.” The program is free, but space is limited. Advance registration is required by calling 724-258-1483.

Thursday, Nov. 5 – Mental Wellness Resources and Support: A Community Perspective

6 p.m. Mark Freado, M.A., reclaiming youth international; Ravindranath Kolli, M.D., SPHS Behavioral Health, and Cheryld Emala, MSW, LCSW, SPHS Behavioral Health, will speak about the local resources and support for those who may feel life spinning out of control. This presentation concludes the free Mental Wellness Series led by partners Monongahela Valley Hospital and Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Inc. To register, call 724-258-1333.

Friday, Nov. 6 – AARP Driver Safety Refresher Course

9 a.m. to 1 p.m., ECC. The nation's first and largest classroom driver improvement course specially designed for motorists age 50 and older. It is intended to help improve skills while teaching accident and traffic violation avoidance. Some insurance companies offer discounts for course completion. The cost is $15 per person for AARP members and $20 for non-members. Pre-registration is required, call 724-258-1333.

Monday, Nov. 9 – 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.

Mondays, Nov. 9 and 23 – 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, Nov. 10 — Lung Cancer Screening Educational Program

6 p.m., ECC. Join Andrew Zahalsky, M.D., director of Medical Oncology; Surinder Aneja, M.D., Internal/Pulmonary Medicine and Adil Chaudry, M.D., director of Radiology, at this free educational program when they discuss the more recent advancements in the early detection and treatment of lung cancer. Current and former smokers age 55 and older are encouraged to attend. For more information and to register, call 724-258-1333.

Tuesday, Nov. 10 – RSDS Support Group

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.

Tuesday, Nov. 10 – Better Breathers Club

2 – 3 p.m., ECC. Carrie Murt, a respiratory therapist of Advacare Home Services will discuss Living Safely with Oxygen. 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, Nov. 10 – 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.

Wednesday, Nov. 11 – Prostate Cancer Support Group

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.

Wednesday, Nov. 11 – Talk With a Doc: Common Foot and Ankle Ailments

7 p.m., Mt. Lebanon Public Library, 16 Castle Shannon Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15228. William DeCarbo, M.D., orthopedic surgeon, will present a free program to discuss the symptoms and causes of common ankle ailments. He will also discuss various treatments to calm or eliminate pain caused by these ailments. Dr. DeCarbo will gladly answer questions at the end of his talk. Light refreshments will be served. Please call to register at 724-258-1333.

Thursday, Nov. 12 - Diabetes Support Group Holiday Dinner

5 – 8 p.m., ECC. This annual holiday dinner is hosted for individuals diagnosed with diabetes, and a support person may attend. Reservations are required, and the cost is $7.50 per person. Those interested in attending must receive an invitation by calling the Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology at 724-258-1483.

Friday, Nov. 13 – “In the Bag” Purse Sale

8 a.m., ECC. Spice up your outerwear with a pop of color with a new purse before the holidays or pick up a gift for that special someone on your Christmas list. 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, Nov. 16 – Gift Shop Holiday Open House

8 a.m., Gift Shop, main hospital. Enjoy refreshments and get some of your holiday shopping done. Select merchandise will be on sale, today only. 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, Nov. 16 – Innovations in Medicine: New Approaches to Geriatric Medicine

6 p.m. Lakshmi Madduru, M.D., family practitioner, will discuss the latest advances in geriatric medicine and strategies to prevent falls. Refreshments will be served and parking is free. To register, call 724-258-1333.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 17, 18 and 19 – 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.

Thursday, Nov. 19 – 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, Nov. 19 – Ostomy Support Group

2 – 3:30 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, Nov. 19 – 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.

Thursday, Nov. 19 and Friday, Nov. 20 – Auxiliary $5 Jewelry Sale

8 a.m., ECC. The Auxiliary of Mon-Vale Health Resources, Inc. is sponsoring a $5 jewelry sale with a variety of costume jewelry available for purchase. Free parking provided with any purchase. Proceeds will be used to enhance services for MVH patients and visitors. For more information, call 724-258-1167.

Monday, Nov. 23 – Annual Light-Up Night

6:30 p.m. Join MVH as we kick-off the holiday season with our 31^st Annual Light-Up Night in the Hospital’s Central Plaza. Enjoy entertainment, hot chocolate, Christmas carols, and an opportunity to tell Santa and Mrs. Claus what’s on your Christmas list. Homemade baked goods and raffle tickets for decorative Christmas items will be sold by the Auxiliary of Mon-Vale Health Resources, Inc. in the hospital’s main lobby.

Tuesday, Nov. 24 – 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.