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).

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 4, 5 and 6 — Managing Your Diabetes

8:30 – 11:30 a.m., ECC. This education 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. Registration is required at least one week prior to the start date of class by calling 724-258-1483.

Wednesday, April 5 — Diabetes Support Group

2 - 4 p.m., Mon-Vale HealthPLEX, Room 120. This support program is free for people with diabetes, their families and caregivers. Advance registration is required by calling 724-258-1483.

Wednesday, April 5 and Friday, April 21 — Nar-Anon Family Group

6 - 7 p.m. Nar-Anon Family Groups are a worldwide fellowship for the family and friends of those suffering from addiction. As a Twelve-Step program, the group offers help by sharing experiences, strength and hope. The Nar-Anon program is based on a set of spiritual principles and has no affiliation with any denomination. The only requirement for membership is a problem of addiction in a relative or friend. For more information, call 724-288-8403.

Thursday, April 6 — Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For You?

6 p.m., ECC. Bariatric surgery is an option for people wanting to lose 100 pounds or more. This free information 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.

Friday, April 7 — MVH Blood Drive

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 724-258-1282 or visit redcrosslife.org.

Monday, April 10 and Monday, April, 24 — Suicide Bereavement Support Group

1 – 2:30 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. To register, call 724-268-1144.

Tuesday, April 11 — Alzheimer’s Support Group

6 - 8 p.m., ECC. This free support group meets once a month. It is designed to help the family members, friends and caregivers of those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Discussion topics include 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, April 15 — Advanced Carbohydrate Counting

6 - 8 p.m., ECC. This program is a diabetes self-management class designed to educate you on how to count carbohydrate content in food to improve blood sugar control. Topics include how to track effects of carbohydrates and blood sugar, glycemic index and how to read food nutrition labels. Registration is required at least one week prior to the start of class by calling 724-258-1483.

 Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, April 18, 19 and 20 — Managing Your Diabetes

6 – 9 p.m., ECC. This education 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. Registration is required at least one week prior to the start date of class by calling 724-258-1483.

 Wednesday, April 19 — Arthritis Support Group

1 p.m., ECC. The Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Support Group is free and open to all persons with arthritis, fibromyalgia or related illnesses and their families. This group meets quarterly (every three months), the third Wednesday of the month, at 1 p.m. For more information, call 724-258-1321.

 Wednesday, April 19 and Thursday, April 20 — Substance Abuse Program

5:30 p.m., ECC. This education program utilizes medical experts and other professionals who can explain the field of substance abuse. Participants will learn aboutpatterns of harmful use of any substance for mood-altering purposes. "Substances" can include alcohol and other drugs, but will deal predominantly with the heroin epidemic we are now experiencing in our area. This program offers CEUs to nursing and social workers. For more information, call 724-258-1321.

 Thursday, April 20 — Annual National Health Care Decisions Day

10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hospital lobby. All adults can benefit from thinking about what their health care choices would be if they are unable to speak for themselves. These decisions can be written down in an “advance directive” so that others know your wishes. MVH Director of Patient Relations Renee Hurley, M.Ed., L.P.C., will be able to provide information and assistance to the public on completing one’s advance directives: a medical power of attorney and/or a living will. For more information, call 724-258-1076 or visit www.nhdd.org.

Thursday,April 20—OstomySupport Group

2 –3:30p.m., ECC. Thissupport group is free and open to all persons with ostomies and theirfamilies and friends.The groupmeets the third Thursday ofeach month.For more information, call

724-258-1773.

Monday, April 24— “What is Osteoporosis?”

6 p.m., ECC. Rheumatologist, Ajay Mathur, M.D., is the speaker at the first of the three part Living Well series. He will discuss the fundamentals of the bone debilitating disease, Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis makes bone brittle and susceptible to fracturing, especially the vertebrae and the hips. He will also discuss the medical treatment of this disease.

 Tuesday, April 25 — American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED

4 p.m., ECC. Adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes are offered by Monongahela Valley Hospital. The fee for the class is $35 to cover the class and required materials. To register, call

724-258-1333.

Tuesday, April 25 — “How to Surgically Treat Osteoporosis?”  

6 p.m., ECC. Orthopedic Surgeon, Thomas Brockmeyer, M.D., is the speaker for the second of the three part Living Well series. He will discuss the surgical treatment of osteoporosis, especially after it has caused a bone fracture.

Thursday, April 27 — Stroke Support Group

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.

Saturday, April 29 — Mamm and Glamm Breast Cancer Prevention Event

8 a.m. – 2 p.m., Mon-Vale HealthPLEX, Rostraver. Come have a stress-free mammogram while being pampered. For an appointment, call 724-379-1911.

For the second consecutive year, Monongahela Valley Hospital (MVH) has been named a Screening Center of Excellence by the Lung Cancer Alliance (LCA) for its ongoing commitment to responsible lung cancer screening.

Sharing a meal with someone who understands the loss of a loved one can be of great benefit. Many times, family members have difficulty talking with each other. These dinners offer a safe place to share your feelings. These will take place on April 21, May 19, and June 16 at 6 p.m. at the McNary Conference Center - Canonsburg Hospital.

Training Prepares Local NDMS Member to Help During National Emergencies

An internal medicine physician from Bethel Park, Dr. Timothy Campbell, is participating in unique National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) training at the nation’s premier, all-hazards training facility in Alabama from February 27 to March 4. Dr. Campbell serves as a member of an NDMS Disaster Medical Assistance Team. Read more...