Health programs

Through Canonsburg Hospital’s Speaker Series, physicians and other health-care professionals can present free programs on a variety of health-related topics. For a copy of the Speaker Series brochure, call 724-873-5835.
Community health programs offered at the hospital can be found at www.wpahs.org.
Physician referral access line is 412-DOCTORS (362-8677) and is available between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Medivan service, operated by Canonsburg Ambulance, is available to residents who need transportation to Canonsburg General Hospital for testing or surgery. The service cannot accommodate patients in wheelchairs. Rides must be scheduled at least one day in advance. To schedule, call 724-745-6911.
Ask the Doctor shows are available online by accessing www.geocities.com/ptct7/Ask_The_Doctor.html.
Health-care professionals from the hospital and Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services Inc. are available to make free presentations to service clubs, church groups, senior citizens organizations and others who request programs. To schedule a speaker, contact Community Relations at 724-258-1234 or whurley@monvalleyhospital.com.
Physician Referral Service Guide is available on the hospital’s website, www.monvalleyhospital.com.
On-site laboratory services for blood and urine analysis are available from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Monongahela Valley Hospital’s occupational health program site at the Mon-Vale HealthPLEX, WillowPointe Plaza, Suite 210, Belle Vernon. A doctor’s prescription is required, and blood samples and urine specimens collected at the site will be tested at the laboratory at the hospital. For more information, call 724-379-1940.
HealthPLEX Imaging and Rostraver Imaging use digital diagnostic equipment to provide sharp images. HealthPLEX Imaging, in the Mon-Vale HealthPLEX at WillowPointe Plaza, offers bone density, 3-D mammography, ultrasound and X-ray. At Rostraver Imaging, in the Peasant Village Professional Plaza, diagnostic services include CT-scan, MRI, ultrasound and X-ray. Services are available weekdays, with some evening appointments. For HealthPLEX Imaging, call 724-379-1900; for Rostraver Imaging, call 724-929-6736.
Living Well Series: Life After Cancer – “Testing Resources for Cancer and Steps After Diagnosis – will be presented at 6 p.m. Wednesday in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Mammography/diagnostic imaging supervisor Ryan Gray will discuss radiology testing resources at the hospital, the processes of certain radiology testing and what to expect. Debbie Burkhardt, director of radiation oncology, will discuss steps that are taken after a cancer diagnosis is made.
Nar-Anon Family Group will meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday and Sept. 22 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. 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 412-512-4718.
Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For You? will be presented by Dr. Hiram Gonzalez at 6 p.m. Thursday in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Bariatric surgery is an option for people who want to lose 100 pounds or more. To register, call 724-258-1333.
Suicide Bereavement Support Group will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 11 and 25 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. The group is led by a licensed psychologist and is free to all those touched by suicide. Registration is required by calling 724-268-1144.
Advanced Carbohydrate Counting will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 12 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Topics include how to track effects of carbohydrates and blood sugar, the glycemic index and how to read food nutrition labels. Registration is required at least one week in advance by calling 724-258-1483.
Look Good Feel Better will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. The American Cancer Society designed this program for women dealing with hair loss and skin changes from chemotherapy and radiation. Everyone who registers more than five days in advance will receive a makeup package valued at $200. To register, call 800-227-2345.
Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 12. Topics include the challenges of coping with the disorder as well as techniques for managing stress and methods of encouraging social engagement. Reservations are requested by calling 724-258-1333.
Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Support Group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 12 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. For more information, call 724-929-9492.
Living Well Series: Life After Cancer – “Life After Diagnosis and Financial Issues” – will be presented at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Carol Manown, clinical coordinator of medical oncology and a cancer survivor, will discuss how a cancer diagnosis changes your life, from the moment you receive your test results, throughout treatments and after treatments. Bob McClure, manager of financial counseling and collections, will provide an overview of financial issues that arise from extensive treatments and the options that are available to assist patients with bill payment.
Diabetes Support Group will meet from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mon-Vale HealthPLEX, Room 120. Registration is required by calling 724-258-1483.
Talk With a Doc: What’s New in Shoulder Surgery? will be presented by Dr. Allan Tissenbaum, an orthopedic surgeon with the Orthopedic Group, at 6 p.m. Sept. 14 at the Community & Recreation Center at Boyce Mayview Park. To register, call 724-258-1333.
American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Sept. 19 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Fee is $35 to cover the class and required materials. To register, call 724-258-1333.
Better Breathers Club: Harmonics for Health will meet from 2 to 3 p.m. Sept. 19 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Topics include how COPD affects your lungs as well as techniques and medications that can improve your quality of life. To register, call 724-258-1226.
Living Well Series: Life After Cancer – “Cancer Survivorship, Exercise and Nutrition” will begin at 6 p.m. Sept. 19 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Tricia Golden, oncology nurse navigator, will discuss what cancer survivorship is and the transition to the new way of life. Clinical dietitian Krista Begonia will discuss how nutritional needs change during and after cancer treatments, and Chad Vorderbrueggen, fitness director at the Center for Fitness and Health, will discuss the center’s exercise therapy program.
Managing Your Diabetes will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Sept. 19-21 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Topics include the importance of controlling blood sugars, diabetes medications, lifestyle changes, meal planning and methods to reduce the risk of complications. Registration is required at least one week in advance by calling 724-258-1483.
Multiphasic Blood Analysis will be held from 7 to 10 a.m. Sept. 23 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. The 37-function screening costs $25. Participants are asked to provide the full name and complete address of the physician to whom their test results will be sent. Testing is by appointment only, and the deadline to register is Sept. 20. To register, call 724-258-1282 between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Weight Control and Wellness Support Group will meet at 6 p.m. Sept. 25 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. The bariatric support group activities are designed to reinforce key principles of success and help participants learn concepts that are sometimes difficult to grasp after bariatric surgery. To register, call 724-258-1333.
Prostate Cancer Screening and Education Program will begin at 5:30 p.m. Sept. 27 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. Men will be offered a digital rectal exam, a hemocult test and a Prostate Specific Antigen blood test. The free 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.
Stroke Support Group will meet from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Sept. 28 in the Education Conference Center at Monongahela Valley Hospital. For more information, call 724-258-1455.
Cancer-care specialists are available to evaluate needs, provide information, guidance and support, identify resources and navigate the health-care system. For more information, call St. Clair Hospital’s cancer-care specialist at 412-942-5082.
Diabetes Education Center offers group classes and one-on-one appointments, addressing a comprehensive range of topics. Diabetes management plans are developed with patients and their physicians, taking into account each individual’s lifestyle and needs. Insulin pump training is provided. For more information, call 412-942-2151.
A smoking cessation program offers classes and individual counseling. For more information, call 412-942-2008.
Breast-feeding Support Group meets from 6:30 to 8 p.m. the last Monday of each month, except May and December, in the Community Room at Washington Hospital. To register, call 724-250-4476.
Stroke Support Group meets from 4:30 to 6 p.m. the third Tuesday of each month in the occupational therapy apartment, fourth floor, at Washington Hospital. To register, call 724-229-2449.
Free health and wellness information is available in the Ruth York Morgan Health Education Learning Place at Washington Hospital. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, call 724-223-3144.
Teen Outreach programs at Washington Hospital include:
• Echo – a home-based early intervention program for children in fourth through eighth grades.
• Parents and Daughters – for girls 9 to 12 years old.
• Parents and Sons – for boys 10 to 14 years old.
• Pregnant and Parenting Teens – supportive and educational services for teens.
• Teen Father Program – for fathers up to 22 years old.
Some programs include a fee. For more information, call 724-222-2311.
Prenatal classes are baby care, breast-feeding and prepared childbirth. There is a fee, but many insurance plans will offer some reimbursement. Call 724-223-3173 early in pregnancy.
Cardiac rehabilitation programs are available. For more information, call 724-250-6288.