By Christen M. Stroh

On May 19, Allegheny Health Network partnered once again with the Pittsburgh Pirates to host their third annual Strike Out Stroke event. Read more...

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, July 5, 6 and 7 – Managing Your Diabetes

8:30 – 11:30 a.m., Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. 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.

Monday, July 11 – Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For You?

6 p.m., Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. 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.

Monday, July 11– 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, July 12 – 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.

Tuesday, July 12 – 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, July 13 – Community CPR Instruction Heartsaver AED Course

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, July 13 – 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 of class by calling 724-258-1483.

Monday, July 18 - Cancer Support Group

2 p.m., Hospital, 7-East Family Room. 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, call

724-258-1704.

Tuesday, July 19 – Better Breathers Club

2 – 3 p.m., ECC. Nikhil K. Dave, M.D., MVH allergist, will discuss how allergies, especially during spring months, affect chronic breathing issues. This club is free and open to all adults and their family, 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, Wednesday and Thursday, July 19, 20 and 21 – Managing Your Diabetes

6 – 9 p.m., Mon-Vale HealthPLEX. 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, July 20 - Arthritis and Fibromyalgia Support Group

1 – 3 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. For more information, call 724-258-1321.

Monday, July 25– Suicide Bereavement Support Group

6 – 8 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, July 26 – Adult CPR Instruction

6 - 8 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.

Thursday, July 28 – 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.

Thursday, July 28 – Public First-Aid Instruction

6 – 9 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.

Monongahela Valley Hospital (MVH) and its parent organization, Mon-Vale Health Resources, Inc. (MVHR), reelected the officers of their boards — Chairman R. Carlyn Belczyk, Vice Chairman Jeff M. Kotula and Secretary John D. Fry.

If you or someone you know needs to lose more than 100 pounds, learn if bariatric surgery is the right choice.