Health programs
Canonsburg
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.
Monongahela
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).
Monongahela Valley Hospital, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, is sponsoring a blood drive to benefit local patients from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 2. Free parking is available. For more information or to register, call 724-258-1282 or visit redcrosslife.org.
Managing Your Diabetes is from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Feb. 6, 7 and 8 is designed to help with diabetes self-management. “What is diabetes?” and other topics include the importance of controlling blood sugars, diabetes medications, lifestyle changes, meal planning and methods to reduce 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.
Bariatric surgery is an option for people who want to lose 100 pounds or more. A free information session begins at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 and is designed to give those individuals struggling with weight loss the facts to choose their best option. Join Hiram Gonzalez, M.D., as he discusses this topic in detail. To register, call 724-258-1333.
Nar-Anon Family Groups meet from 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 7 and 16 and 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 412-512-4718.
The Suicide Bereavement Support Group is a four-month program that meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Feb. 12 and 26. The group will meet 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 724-678-3601.
The Alzheimer’s Support Group is free and meets from 6 to 8 p.m. once a month starting Feb. 13. It is designed to help the family members, friends and caregivers aof 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.
The Prostate Cancer Support Group meets from 6 to 7 p.m. Feb. 14. All prostate cancer patients, families and caregivers are invited to attend this free support group. For more information, call 724-292-9404.
Advanced Carbohydrate Counting is from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 14 and is a diabetes self-management class designed to educate 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.
The Ostomy Support Group is from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 15 and is free and open to all with ostomies and their families and friends. The group meets the third Thursday of each month. For more information, call 724-258-1773.
The Diabetes Support Group meets from 2 to 3 p.m. Feb. 15 and is free and open to all persons who want to continue education on managing diabetes with discussion on a variety of different topics. Please contact the Center for Diabetes at 724-258-1483 for a schedule of upcoming topics and dates. To register, call 725-248-1483.
Managing Your Diabetes is an education program from 6 to 9 p.m Feb. 20, 21 and 25 and is designed to help with diabetes self-management. “What is diabetes?” and other topics include the importance of controlling blood sugars, diabetes medications, lifestyle changes, meal planning and methods to reduce 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.
The Stroke Support Group is from 1 to 2 p.m. Feb. 22 and 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.
The American Heart Association Family and Friends CPR/AED is from 8 a.m. to noon Feb. 27 and is designed for the layperson that has little or no medical training, and is taught by a certified instructor. This course is for people who do not need a certification card for a job. Content includes an orientation to CPR for adult, child, infants, choking and use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Cost of this course is $35 to cover the cost of the book, which includes a class participation card.
The American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED Adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) classes are from 4 to 8 p.m. Feb. 27. The fee for the class is $35 to cover the class and required materials. To register, call 724-258-1333.
Innovations in Arthritis will be held at 6 p.m. Feb. 28. Ari Pressman, M.D., will discuss arthritis treatments and what types of conditions can receive those treatments.
St. Clair
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.
Washington
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.