Jul 23, 2018 17 min read

Events

n The latest styles, prints and colors for uniforms and professional work shoes from major manufacturers will be available during a uniform, shoe and accessory sale hosted by Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society. The event runs 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Aug. 7, Excela Health Latrobe Hospital, main floor corridor Cash, check and credit cards accepted. Payroll deduction available to Excela Health employees.

n Excela Health will host a blood drive on behalf of the American Red Cross from 1-5:30 p.m. Aug. 24, in the lobby at Excela Health Frick Hospital. Walk-ins are welcome, but pre-registration is preferred by calling 800-RED-CROSS.

n Mon Valley Hospital will host their HealthPlex Health Fair from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Aug. 18. The fair will feature MVH-affiliated providers such as the Center for Fitness and Health, HealthPlex Imaging, The Orthopedic Group, Mon-Vale Primary Care Practices, Occupational Medicine and many others. The Health Fair will provide various free screenings, educational talks from MVH physicians, a healthy cooking class and fitness demonstrations. A multiphasic blood screening will also be offered for a $30 fee. The fair is free and open to the public. For more information, visit monvalleyhospital.com.

n Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital is the latest community location for the safe, secure disposal of unused medications. A MedSafe receptacle is now available in the main lobby on the hospital’s first floor. A similar container was placed at Excela Latrobe Hospital in April. The health system hopes to roll out the program to Excela Frick Hospital in the upcoming months. Acceptable items for disposal include controlled, noncontrolled and over-the-counter pills, tablets, capsules, ointments, creams, lotions, powders and liquid medicines of no more than 4 ounces.

n Residents living in and around the Uniontown can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with affordable screenings by Life Line Screening. Park Inn by Radisson, 700 W Main St., Uniontown, will host this community event on July 20. Packages start at $149. The Wellness Gold Membership Program allows customers to get all the screenings they need now, but pay $19.95 a month. Call 877-237-1287 or visit our website at www.lifelinescreening.com. Pre-registration is required.

n A Masquerade Jewelry Sale will be held at the Mon Valley Hospital from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 30 and 31 in the education conference center. Shop at the Masquerade $5 Jewelry Sale sponsored by the Auxiliary of Mon-Vale Health Resources, Inc. A variety of jewelry items including earrings, chains and bracelets are available for purchase.

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.

Support groups

n An Alzheimer’s Support Group is being offered by Mon Valley Hospital 6-8 p.m. Aug. 14 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 are requested by calling 724-258-1333.

n Bariatric Education and Support for those who have had surgery or for those in the process meets 6 p.m. July 25 and 6 p.m. Aug. 29, in Conference Room D, First Floor, Excela Westmoreland Hospital. The group provides individuals with the opportunities to get their questions answered, learn tools that can help with long-term weight loss success and meet with others who share similar experiences. Each meeting covers a specific topic related to bariatric surgery. For information and registration visit www.excelahealth.org or contact Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 877-771-1234.

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. Call 724-542-7243 to register.

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. Call 724-244-5261 or 412-969-8520 to register.

n Mon Valley Hospital is offering a Prostate Cancer Support Group from 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 8 in the education conference center. All prostate cancer patients, families and caregivers are invited to attend this free support group. For more information, call 724-292-9404.

n A Stroke Support Group will be held 6-8 p.m. July 17, in Community Room 1 located in the main lobby of the Uniontown Hospital. Stroke survivors, caregivers, loved ones and anyone interested in learning more about stroke. Monthly meetings will include a guest speaker, blood pressure readings, medication review and any other information requested. Light refreshments will be provided. Please call Andrea Lint, Stroke Coordinator, at 724-430-5341, for more information.

n Breast Cancer Education and Support Group meets 6:30-8 p.m. Aug. 7, Conference Room B/C, First Floor, Excela Westmoreland Hospital. For additional information contact the Excela Health Call Center, 877-771-1234.

n Stroke Support Group, for stroke survivors and their families/caregivers, meets 6-7 p.m., July 24, and again on Aug.28, First Floor Conference Rooms, Excela Westmoreland Hospital. For additional information contact the Excela Health Call Center, 877-771-1234.

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.

n Cancer Grief Group, 2:30-4 p.m. every Thursday at Our Clubhouse on Route 30 East in Greensburg for family and friends who have lost a loved one to cancer. A monthly group for men only meets 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Aug. 7 at King’s Restaurant, Route 30, Greensburg. A second monthly group meets 1-2 p.m. Aug. 1, Bud Murphy’s, Route 119, Connellsville. For information and registration for any of these groups, visit www.excelahealth.org or contact Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 877-771-1234.

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 basement, Fayette and Morgantown streets, Uniontown, and 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: peopleofcourage@gmail.com siawso.org, or healingfriends8@gmail.com.

n Missing Piece of My Heart Support Group, the last Thursday of each month, 6-8 p.m., 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 Suicide Bereavement Support Group, 1 to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, July 23, Aug. 13 and Aug. 27 in the Monongahela Valley Hospital’s 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. Registration is required. To register, call 724-678-3601.

n A Cancer Grief Group meets 2:30 to 4 p.m., every Thursday at Our Clubhouse, 4893 Route 30 East, Greensburg, for family and friends who have lost a loved one to cancer. For information and registration for any of these groups, visit www.excelahealth.org or contact Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 877-771-1234.

n The Mon Valley Hospital is offering an Ostomy Support Group. This support group is free and open to all persons with ostomies and their families and friends. The group meets the third Thursday of each month from 2 to 3 p.m. For more information, call 724-258-1773.

n The fall program for Stepping Stones Bereavement Support will begin 7-9 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Fayette County Health Center, 100 New Salem Road, Uniontown. The program runs for ten weeks with different topics being presented weekly. Anyone who is newly bereaved or still having problems dealing with grief is invited to attend. There is no cost to participate. For information or to register, please call 724-439-1683.

Courses

n An Advanced Carbohydrate Counting class is being offered by Mon Valley Hospital 6-8 p.m. Aug. 15 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 For first-time parents, Childbirth and Beyond classes cover labor and birth options for pain control, cesarean birth, postpartum, the normal newborn and breathing/relaxation techniques. A two-week class meets 6:30-9 p.m., Wednesdays beginning Aug. 15, Memorial Conference Center, Ground Floor, Excela Westmoreland Hospital. A Weekender version meets 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Aug. 4, Memorial Conference Center, Ground Floor, Excela Westmoreland Hospital. For information and registration, visit www.excelahealth.org or contact Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 877-771-1234.

n Breastfeeding Success promotes successful breastfeeding by providing techniques, studying newborn feeding behaviors and sharing common challenges. Class meets 7 to 9:30 p.m. Aug. 2, First Floor Conference Rooms, Excela Westmoreland Hospital. A Weekender version meets 9 to 11:30 a.m., July 14, First Floor Conference Rooms, Excela Westmoreland Hospital. Tours of the Family Additions Maternity Center at Excela Westmoreland Hospital are offered 2 p.m., Aug. 19. For information and registration, visit www.excelahealth.org or contact Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 877-771-1234.

n Family and Friends CPR meets 6-9 p.m. Aug. 7, Conference Room D, First Floor, Excela Westmoreland Hospital. This non-certificate class addresses how to help a child who is choking, has stopped breathing, or whose heart has stopped. Class ideal for parents, older siblings and others who will provide child care. For information and registration, visit www.excelahealth.org or contact Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 877-771-1234.

n A two-part class, Infant Care teaches the basics of baby care. Information will include the physical appearance of the newborn, hospital procedures, newborn tests, physical care technique and car seat safety. Bring a doll for practice. Class meets 6:30-9 p.m. Aug. 1 and Aug. 8, Conference Room D, First Floor, Excela Westmoreland Hospital. For information and registration, visit www.excelahealth.org or contact Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 877-771-1234.

n The Safe Sitter Program is being offered by Uniontown Hospital and will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 1, in Community Room 1 located in the main lobby of the hospital. During the Safe Sitter class your child will learn about: safety for the sitter, safety precautions to prevent accidents from happening, how and when to call for help, basic life saving techniques, age appropriate entertainment, etc. This course is recognized for excellence by the American Academy of Pediatrics. A $17.50 fee is charged to cover the cost of education materials. To register, call 724-430-6925 and leave a message. Pre-registration is required.

n An AARP Smart Drivers Course for individuals 50 years of age and older will be held 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 30 and 31 in the Community Education Center, Excela Square at Norwin, , as well as Aug. 8 and 9, in the Memorial Conference Center, Ground Floor, Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. To register online, visit www.excelahealth.org or call Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 877-771-1234.

n An AARP Drivers Safety Course Refresher is scheduled for 1 to 5 p.m., August 2, Conference Room D, First Floor, Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital, and 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., August 13, Community Education Center, Excela Square at Norwin. The course fee is $15 for AARP members or $20 for non-members. Checks may be made payable to AARP and presented at the class. Upon successful completion of the course, motorists may be eligible for a discount on their vehicle insurance. To register online, visit www.excelahealth.org or call Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 877-771-1234.

n A Better Breathers Club is being offered at Monongahela Valley Hospital from 2 to 3 p.m. on July 17, at 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 is required. To register, call 724-258-1226.

n Yoga class, 5:15 p.m., Thursdays, Auditorium A/B, First Floor, Excela Latrobe Hospital. Class attendees should wear exercise clothes, and bring mat, athletic shoes and water. Contact Excela Health’s Well-Being Center with questions, 724-830-8568.

n Mon Valley Hospital is offering the program, Managing Your Diabetes at the Healthplex 6 to 9 p.m. July 24-26, 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 7-9, and 6-9 p.m. Aug. 21-23 in the education conference center. 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.

n Living with Diabetes, Looking Forward is a series of self-management classes designed for the newly-diagnosed.This class is for individuals interested in learning how to manage their diabetes care and control blood glucose levels. A physician referral is required. Classes meet 1 to 3 p.m. July 25, Excela Latrobe Hospital, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 27, Excela Square at Norwin, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 28, Excela Square at Norwin. Classes also meet 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Aug. 8, Excela Square at Norwin, 9 a.m.-noon Aug. 15, Excela Square at Frick, 6-8 p.m. Aug. 21, Excela Square at Norwin, and 1-4 p.m. Aug. 23, Excela Square at Norwin. Pre-registration is required for all programs. For information or to enroll visit www.excelahealth.org or contact Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 877-771-1234.

n A Diabetes Insulin Pump class meets 9 a.m. to Noon, July 26, Conference Room 1, First Floor, Excela Latrobe Hospital. Pre-registration is required for all programs. For information or to enroll visit www.excelahealth.org or contact Excela Health’s Call Center, toll free, 877-771-1234.

n Mon Valley Hospital is offering the program “Is Weight Loss Surgery Right For You?” at 6 p.m. Aug. 8 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. To register, call 724-258-1333.

n The Mon Valley Hospital is offering the program Innovations in Medicine: “Athletic Concussions” at 6 p.m. Aug. 22, in the education conference center. This education program is designed to educate you about athletic concussions. Shane Hennessey, D.O., will discuss symptoms and treatments for athletic concussions. To register, call 724-258-1333.

n The Mon Valley Hospital will host a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Aug. 24 in the education conference center to benefit local patients. Free parking is available. For more information or to register, call 724-258-1282 or visit redcrosslife.org.

n A Weight Control and Wellness Support Group is being offered from 6 p.m. July 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 sessions are designed to educate, inform and provide a well-rounded foundation of knowledge for long-term success. 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 is recommended, but not necessary. To register, call 724-258-1333.

n Monongahela Valley Hospital is offering “Innovations in Medicine: Keeping Your Kidney’s Healthy” at 6 p.m. July 24, in the education conference center. This education program is designed to educate you about your kidneys. Ronald Lutes, D.O., will discuss how to keep your kidney’s healthy.

n Adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR/AED) classes are being offered by Monongahela Valley Hospital from 8 a.m. to noon July 31, and 4-8 p.m. Aug. 28 in the education conference center. The fee for the class is $50 to cover the class and required materials. To register, call 724-258-1333.

n Monongahela Valley Hospital is offering an American Heart Association Family and Friends CPR/AED class 4-6 p.m. July 31, and 8-10 a.m. Aug. 28 in the education conference 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.

n A one-hour Yoga class meets 5:15 p.m. Thursdays, beginning Aug. 2, Auditorium A/B, First Floor, Excela Latrobe Hospital.

n Chair Fit mixes cardiovascular endurance and strength training in a low-impact exercise that focuses on maintaining the ability to complete activities of daily living. Class meets 10:30-11:30 a.m., Mondays, beginning Aug. 6, Conference Room D, First Floor, Excela Westmoreland Hospital.

n Interval Training class, 4:30-5:30 p.m., Mondays, starting Aug. 6, at the Memorial Conference Center at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital.

n Strength and Tone classes for muscle building and conditioning class meets from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., Mondays beginning Aug. 6, Memorial Conference Center, Ground Floor, Excela Westmoreland Hospital.

n Body Sculpting and Core Conditioning, 3:30 to 4:15 p.m., Wednesdays in the Memorial Conference Center in Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. Information: 724-830-8568. Class attendees should wear exercise clothes, and bring mat, athletic shoes and water.