Events
n A health fair is being hosted by California University of Pennsylvania from 11 a.m.to 2 p.m. Sept. 18 in the Convocation Center. Admission is free and the event is open to the public. More than 50 healthcare industry representatives will staff booths addressing health and wellness topics such as diabetes, smoking cessation, orthopedics, healthy eating and more. Participants can take part in a variety of screenings and interactive health-related activities. Rite-Aid pharmacy staff will administer flu shots for a fee; insurance cards will be accepted. The Central Outreach Wellness Center from Washington, Pa., will have a mobile unit in the Convocation Center for free STD testing, and the Centerville Clinic will offer blood pressure and pulse oximetry tests. Vitalent, formerly known as Central Blood Bank, will conduct a blood drive and bone marrow screening from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. in the Convocation Center’s south wing. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are recommended by visiting donateblood.centralbloodbank.org, choosing “new donor” and searching with group code CU02, or by contacting Cal U’s Center for Volunteer Programs and Service Learning at 724-938-4794.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will host a Prostate Cancer Screening and Education Program at 5 p.m. Sept. 25 in the education conference center. The event is free. At the screening, men will be offered a digital rectal exam (DRE), the standard test for prostate cancer; a hemocult test and a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. The screening and education program will be conducted by MVH staff. Registration: 724-258-1333.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will host a multiphasic blood analysis from 7 to 10 a.m. Sept. 28 in the education conference center. This 36-function screening costs only $30 and is open to the public. Additional tests available include: Immunochemical Fecal Occult Blood, 3-D mammogram, Hemoglobin A1C, Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, Prostatic Specific Antigen, and Vitamin D. Participants are asked to provide the full name and complete address of the physician to whom their test results will be sent afterwards. Testing is by appointment only. The deadline to register is Sept. 25, and registrations must be made Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. by calling 724-258-1282.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will host a free medicare educational event at 10 a.m. Sept. 11 in the Anthony M. Lombardi Education Conference Center. Attendees will be provided information on Medicare, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, and Prescription Drug Plans. Registration: monvalleyhospital.com or 724-258-1333.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will be hosting a “Mamm & Glamm” event from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 14 in the HealthPlex. The staff at HealthPlex Imaging will host Mamm & Glamm. The event offers women the opportunity to have their mammograms, then enjoy free pampering services such as massages and paraffin hand wax treatments. Staff will provide a light breakfast and lunch, plus treats and other refreshments. Appointment: 724-379-1911.
n The Southwestern PA Area Agency on Aging, Inc. (SWPA AAA) APPRISE program will present the Medicare 101 workshop at 5:15 p.m. Sept. 18 in the Community Action Conference Room, 108 N Beeson Ave., Building D, Uniontown. The workshop will include a series of free, one-hour workshops that are designed to help you make a successful transition to Medicare. Light refreshments will be provided. Pre-registration: Lois Thomas, 888-300-2704, Ext. 4438. Medicare’s annual open enrollment period runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. For a list of enrollment centers and their dates and times open for enrollment, call Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Inc. at 724-489-8080.
Courses
n The Monongahela Valley Hospital will host the program “Want To Learn About Medicare?” from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 11 in the education conference center. Attendees will be provided information on Medicare, Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage, and Prescription Drug Plans. Registration: monvalleyhospital.com or call 724-258-1333.
n Exercise classes, Tuesdays and Thursdays, Center in the Woods, 130 Woodland Court, Brownsville. Classes include chair dancing at 9:30 a.m. followed by healthy steps at 11 a.m. Information: 724-938-3554.
n The four-week Smoke Free For Life program, sponsored by BREATHE Pennsylvania will be hosted by the Monongahela Valley Hospital every Monday in September beginning Sept. 9 at 11 a.m. Program participants will learn how to overcome barriers that keep them from quitting, develop a customized “quit-plan” that will lead to success, learn the art of positive self-talk, practice sound techniques to manage stress, develop strategies that will prevent relapse and receive support in a positive and comfortable environment. The session is broken down into four, two-hour courses. Space is limited and pre-registration is required. Registration: 724-258-1462.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will host the Better Breathers Club from 2 to 3 p.m. Sept. 17 in the education conference center. The club offers the opportunity to learn ways to better cope with COPD while getting the support of others. The group helps give you the tools to live the best quality of life you can. Topics include how COPD affects your lungs as well as techniques and medications that can improve your quality of life. The unique Harmonicas for Health program helps people with COPD to improve breath control. Registration: 724-258-1226.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will host the American Heart Association Heartsaver CPR/AED course from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Simulation Center. Adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR/AED) classes are offered by Monongahela Valley Hospital. The fee for the class is $50 to cover the class and required materials. Registration: 724-258-1333 or visit https://www.monvalleyhospital.com/registration.asp.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will host Friday, September 20 — “Talk With a Doc: Breast Cancer Awareness: What You Need To Know” at noon on Sept. 20 at Peters Township Library. Natalie Furgiuele, M.D., will discuss the very newest in standards of care and protocols for breast cancer awareness. Registration: 724-258-1333.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will host a Weight Control and Wellness Support Group at 6 p.m. Sept. 23 in the education conference center. 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. Professionals such as dietitians, psychologists and fitness instructors may be invited to speak. Other presenters may discuss topics such as grooming, dating and cooking. The ultimate purpose of the support group is to help participants achieve and maintain their goal weights in a way that is as physically and mentally healthy as possible. Registration: 724-258-1333.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will host the course “Advanced Carbohydrate Counting” from 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 26 in the education conference center. 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.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital through the Community Care Network is offering a Smoke Free for Life program from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 9, 16, 23 and 30 in the education conference center. The four-week program is broken down into four, two-hour courses and is designed to help participants develop strategies to quit smoking, prevent relapse as well as receive support in a positive and comfortable environment. Registration: 724-258-1462.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will host “Managing Your Diabetes” from 9 to 11 a.m Sept. 3, 10 and 17 or 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 4, 11 and 18 in the 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 Tuesdays. Registration is required at least one week prior to the start date of class by calling 724-258-1483.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will host the class “Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For You?” at 6 p.m. Sept. 4 in the education conference center. Bariatric surgery is an option for people who want 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. Registration: 724-258-1333 or visit https://www.monvalleyhospital.com/registration.asp.
n Monongahela Valley Hospital will host the American Heart Association Family and Friends CPR/AED course from 9 to 11 a.m. Sept. 17 in the Simulation Center. This course 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. Registration: 724-258-1333 or visit https://www.monvalleyhospital.com/registration.asp.
Support groups
n Breaking Addiction, HEAL Group for Men. This small group meeting for men is designed to help those who have a desire to overcome addictions and find a new direction in life. All sessions give instruction for practical life skills through Biblical Principles found in God’s Word. Discussion and interaction are encouraged at each group meeting. They are scheduled at 7 p.m. the first, second and fourth Thursdays of the month at Eagle Ranch Ministries Inc., 1579 Pleasant Valley Road, Mount Pleasant. Registration: 724-542-7243.
n Breaking Addiction, HEAL Group for Women. This small group meeting for women is designed to help those who have a desire to overcome addictions and find a new direction in life. All sessions give instruction for practical life skills through Biblical Principles found in God’s Word. Discussion and interaction are encouraged at each group meeting. The meetings are scheduled for 7 p.m. every Tuesday at Eagle Ranch Ministries Inc., 1579 Pleasant Valley Road, Mount Pleasant. Registration: 724-244-5261 or 412-969-8520.
n Caregiver support group, 6:30-8:30 p.m., the fourth Wednesday of the month at Lafayette Manor. Classes meet in the new physical therapy department. Light refreshments are provided. Open for family and friends who have lost a loved one to cancer. Registration: www.excelahealth.org or 877-771-1234.
n Mon Valley Hospital will host a Suicide Bereavement Support Group 1–2:30 p.m. Sept. 9 and 23 in the education conference center. 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. Required registration: 724-678-3601.
n Mon Valley Hospital will host an Alzheimer’s Support Group from 6 to 8 p.m. Sept. 10 in the education conference center. This free support group meets once a month. It is designed to help the families, 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: 724-258-1333.
n The Monongahela Valley Hospital will host a Diabetes Support Group from 2 to 3 p.m. Sept. 12 in the education conference center. This support program is free for people with diabetes, their families and caregivers. Required registration; 724-258-1483.
n Uniontown Hospital will host a Stroke Support Group at 6 p.m. Sept. 17 in Community Room 1 located in the Main Lobby of the hospital. Stroke survivors, caregivers, loved ones and anyone interested in learning more about stroke are welcome. Monthly meetings will include a guest speaker, blood pressure readings, medication review and any other information requested. This month’s meeting will focus on nutrition, and light refreshments will be provided. Please call Andrea Lint, Stroke Coordinator, at 724-430-5341, for more information.
n Grief support group, 6-8 p.m. first Tuesday of every month, at the St. John the Evangelist Church on West Crawford Avenue in Connellsville. The group is a collaborative effort for those facing grief due to the loss of a loved one from addiction. Information: 724-628-6840.
n Al-Anon Family Groups, 8 p.m. Wednesdays, Trinity Church parlor, Fayette and Morgantown streets, Uniontown. Please enter at the handicapped ramp entrance. A second is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Christian Church, Pittsburgh Street, Connellsville. These meetings are for anyone who has been affected by or is having problems from someone else’s drinking. Information: al-anon.alateen.org or pa-al-anon.org.
n Survivors of Incest Anonymous group, 6:30-8 p.m. the first and third Mondays of the month, excluding holidays. This 12-step recovery program is meant for men and women aged 18 or older who were sexually abused by a trusted person as a child. The group meets at the Mount Macrina Retreat Center. A similar group, Healing Friends, is from 6:30-7:30 p.m., East Liberty Presbyterian Church in Pittsburgh, on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. Information: [email protected] siawso.org, or [email protected].
n Missing Piece of My Heart support group, 6-8 p.m. the last Thursday of each month at the Crime Victim’s Center conference room in the Oliver Square Plaza. The group is for families who have lost a child to a violent crime. Information: 724-438-1470.
n Silver Generation Support Program, 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays, East End United Community Center, Uniontown. The program is for ages 55 and older. Information: 724-437-1660.
n Stepping Stones Bereavement Support fall program will begin on Monday, Sept. 9. It meets from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Fayette County Health Center, 100 New Salem Road, Uniontown. The program runs for 10 weeks with different topics being presented weekly. Anyone who is newly bereaved or is still having problems dealing with grief is invited to attend. There is no cost to participate. Information: 724-439-1683.
