Health Notes: Women's day of health next Saturday

Tuesday, 26 April 2011 14:59

Health Notes is a weekly feature that highlights health and wellness news in the area. Hospitals and other health related agencies may e-mail items to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Blood pressure screenings

Screenings offered by Bridgeport Hospital: Fairfield Senior Center, 100 Mona Terrace, Mondays, May 2 and 16, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; Stratford Baldwin Center, 1000 West Broad St., Monday, May 9, 9:30-11:30 a.m.; Shelton Senior Center, 81 Wheeler St., Monday, May 23, noon-2; 1-888-357-2396.

Also offered by the South End Community Center in collaboration with the Stratford Health Department, first and third Wednesdays of the month, 10-noon, South End Community Center; 385-4058; 377-0689.

The Mario and Irma D’Addario Hypertension Program at St. Vincent’s Medical Center provides free blood pressure screenings and information to the public every Tuesday, 11:30-3:30, in the main lobby of St. Vincent’s Medical Center, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport; 1-877-255-SVHS (7847).

Bereavement support

VITAS Innovative Hospice Care offers bereavement support groups to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one. Next group is a six-week group for adults who have lost a parent and begins Monday, May 2 and continues every Monday through June 13 (excluding Memorial Day), at Connecticut Health of Southport, 930 Mill Hill Terrace, Southport. To register or for more information, call Norma Schmidt, 203-455-3300, ext. 3518.

Tea party

Hosted by members of the Women’s Health Initiative to benefit the Griffin Hospital Valley Breast Health Care Fund, Sunday, May 1, 2-4 p.m., dining room at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby. Open to all. Cost is $30. Reserve a seat by calling Dorothy at 203-732-7431 or Kate at 203-888-3290 or mail check to Karen T. Cusick, 6 Diana Drive, Woodbridge. Donations to the Valley Breast Health Care Fund welcome.

First aid/safety classes

Bridgeport Hospital’s Emergency Care Institute offers the following self-care classes in the duPont Board Room at Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St. To register, call 203-384-4497.

American Heart Association Heartsaver adult, child and infant CPR two-year certification, Wednesday, May 4, 6-9 p.m., $50; AHA pediatric first aid and safety and infant and child CPR two-year certification, Saturdays, May 7 and 21, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., $80 full class; $50 first aid only; AHA Heartsaver CPR with AED (fitness instructors and trainers), Wednesday, May 18, 6-9 p.m., $50; Administration of medicine class, Tuesday, May 10, 6-9 p.m., $30 full program with three-year certification; $20 injectable medications only.

 

Diabetes support

St. Vincent’s Medical Center and Animas Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson Company, are co-sponsoring a new monthly diabetes support group at the hospital. Meetings will be held Wednesdays, 6-7:30 p.m., St. Vincent’s Level 3 South Conference Room. Next: April 27.

To register, contact Kristi Young at Animas, 1-877-937-7867, ext. 1790 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Better Breathing Club

Meets Fridays, April 29, May 27, 1:30 p.m., first-floor duPont Board Room Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St. Open to anyone with chronic respiratory disease. To register, call 1-888-357-2396.

 

Fertility treatment information

Dr. Andrew Levi presents “What You Need To Know about Fertility Treatment!” Wednesday, May 3, 6:30 p.m., Griffin Hospital, Derby; free. To register, call 203-732-1511 or visit griffinhealth.org.

 

Stroke support

Stroke Survivors and Caregivers Support Group meets third Wednesday of the month, May 18, 5:30-7 p.m., Hawley 3A of the Cancer Center at St. Vincent’s Medical Center. Information: Melissa Kopp, 203-576-5361; Helen Polewoj, 203-576-5608.

Bridgeport Hospital’s Ahlbin Rehabilitation Centers also hosts a free Stroke Support Group meeting for recovering stroke patients and their caregivers Tuesday, May 3, 6-7 p.m., at its Shelton outreach site, 4 Corporate Drive. For information or to register, call 203-925-4201.

 

Women’s Day of Health

Women’s Day of Health, a day FOR women, BY women, is being co-sponsored by Griffin Hospital and the Women & Heart Disease Committee Saturday, May 7, 9-2, Griffin Hospital, Derby. Keynote addresses by Center for Breast Wellness Medical Director Dr. Zandra Cheng and Center for Cancer Care Dietician Samantha Heller; breakout sessions on health and well-being issues; free health screenings, and informational resource tables to help women live happier, healthier lives. Registration, at $15, includes lunch. Call 203-732-7584.

 

Casino trip

Mohegan Sun Casino trip sponsored by St. Vincent’s Healthy Hearts Club, includes ticket to “Sunny Side Up!” musical Tuesday, May 10. Motor-coach leaves at 8 a.m. from rear of new garage on Main Street; returns at about 6:30 p.m. Cost: $55, includes live entertainment, two $10 food vouchers, $20 surprise betting bonus, shopping and gaming, deluxe motor-coach transportation, all taxes and service charges and driver’s gratuity. Check payable to “Healthy Hearts” c/o Andy Gatto, 505 Hart St., Bridgeport, CT 06606. Reservations: Andy Gatto, 203-372-5097.

 

Heart rhythm disorders

Connecticut Cardiac Arrhythmia Center nurse practitioner Cathy Wright will discuss “Heart Rhythm Disorders: Advances in Diagnosis and Treatments” Wednesday, May 11, 6:30 p.m., in the fourth-floor Hollander Auditorium, Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St., Bridgeport. Free talk is sponsored by Heart Beats Inc., Bridgeport Hospital’s cardiac patient support group, Refreshments will be served 6–6:30, in second floor cafeteria. For information, call toll free, 1-888-357-2396.

 

Dry eyes and vision loss

Stratford-based ophthalmologist Vicente Diaz, MD, and Westport-based ophthalmologist Cesar Sierra, MD, will discuss the causes and treatments for vision loss during a free lecture Thursday, May 12, 7 p.m., Trumbull Marriott, 180 Hawley Lane. Doors open at 6:30. To register, call 1-888-357-2396.

 

Health & Safety fair

Sixth annual Community Health and Safety Fair for all ages, Saturday, May 14, 10-2, Ansonia Armory, 5 North State St. Health screenings for adults and children, health and safety activities; 203-732-1137.

 

Ostomy support

Bridgeport Hospital will sponsor a free meeting of the United Ostomy Chapter Sunday, May 15, 1:30 p.m., Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut, 40 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull. Open to anyone who has had an ostomy operation, such as a colostomy, urostomy or ileostomy. To register, call 1-888-357-2396.

 

Look Good...Feel Better

Free American Cancer Society program helps women with cancer improve their appearance and self-image through hands-on beauty techniques, Monday, May 16, 5-6:30 p.m., Operations Conference Room on the first floor of Bridgeport Hospital. To register call 1-888-357-2396.

 

Cancer survivors support

Bridgeport Hospital’s Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society will sponsor meeting in the free Moving Forward support and educational series for cancer survivors, Wednesday, May 18, 5-7:30 p.m., 5520 Park Ave., Trumbull. Light supper served. Registration required: 203-563-1523.

 

Heart patient support

Heart Beats Inc. will sponsor a Sharing & Caring support group meeting, Wednesday, May 18, 6-7 p.m., Bridgeport Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation and Wellness Programs, Brick Walk Professional Building, 1305 Post Road, Fairfield. Open to anyone who has experienced heart disease; 1-888-357-2396.

 

Nutrition course

Griffin Hospital will offer a free four-week nutrition course beginning Wednesday, May 18.

The free course, “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Nutrition, But Were Afraid to Ask,” will be held over four sessions, May 18 and 25, and June 1 and 8 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., Derby. Course also includes special cooking demonstrations.

Space is limited; early registration is encouraged. To register, visit griffinhealth.org or call 203-732-1511.

 

Better Breathing Club

The Better Breathing Club will meet Friday, May 27, 1:30 p.m., in the first-floor duPont Board Room, Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St. Support group meeting is open to anyone with chronic respiratory disease. To register, call 203-336-7375.

 

Kripalu yoga

Beginner and intermediate level, runs weekly, Tuesday and Friday, 9:15 a.m., Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center, 111 Beach Road, Fairfield. Class size limited to six students. Payment by cash or check $18/class; $15 students. Advance registration requested; 203-255-5300; bridgeporthospital.org.

 

Pilates

Weekly, Monday, 11:30 a.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m., Norma F. Pfriem Breast Care Center, 111 Beach Road, Fairfield. Class size limited to six students. Payment by cash or check $17/class; $14 students. Advance registration requested; 203-255-5300.

 

Pastoral care training

Bridgeport Hospital’s Department of Spiritual Care & Education has openings in its part-time, extended unit Clinical Pastoral Education Program, which will meet Tuesdays, through April 26. Program offered at two sites: Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St., Bridgeport, and the Veterans Administration Medical Center, 950 Campbell Ave., West Haven. For information or to apply, contact Rev. Jay Cooke, CPE supervisor, 203-384-3948 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Clinical pastoral education

Bridgeport Hospital Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) program has openings for its summer unit at Bridgeport Hospital and educational placement at the VA Medical Center in West Haven. This full-time program meets Monday-Friday, May 31-Aug. 12. For information,contact Rev. Nancy Anderson, director of Spiritual Care and Education, at 203-384-3881 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

OCD support group

Yale Obsessive Compulsive (OCD) Support Group meets first and third Thursday of the month, 3-4 p.m., CHMC, 34 Park St., 3rd floor conference room, New Haven. Information: psychiatry.yale.edu/ocd/patients; Suzanne Wasylink, 203-974-7523.

 

Fitness classes

Bridgeport Hospital’s Ahlbin Rehabilitation Centers offers fitness classes throughout the year at its Shelton site, 4 Corporate Drive. Classes include shoulder conditioning for the overhead athlete, low back reconditioning, special populations fitness/wellness, women’s strength training, golf fitness and personal training. For information about times and costs, call 203-925-4201.

 

Wellness Booth

St. Vincent’s Wellness Booth has relocated to the main lobby of the Medical Center, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. The Wellness Booth, a project of the Mario and Irma D’Addario Hypertension Fund, formerly was located at Westfield Shoppingtown, Trumbull. The booth offers a variety of health screenings and services to the public every Tuesday and Wednesday, 11:30-3:30. No appointment required for any of the screenings.

Free blood pressure screenings are performed every Tuesday. On Wednesdays, Cholesterol/HDL ratio/glucose screening, $18; a lipid panel requiring a four-hour fast, $25; blood sugar screening alone requiring a two-hour fast, $1.

For more information call St. Vincent’s toll-free Care Line at 1-877-255-SVHS (7847).

 

Weight-loss surgery support

Griffin Bariatrics, a new program of Griffin Hospital, will host weight loss surgery support group meetings the third Thursday of every month at 6:30 p.m. at the Griffin Imaging & Diagnostics Center at Ivy Brook, 2 Ivy Brook Road, Shelton. Advance registration requested; griffinhealth.org; 888-657-9252.

 

Help for new movers

Bridgeport Hospital’s free Newcomer Concierge Service helps new residents of Bridgeport and surrounding towns locate physicians to meet personal and family health needs. Service also provides information on health-related events and activities. To reach the Newcomer Concierge Service, call 203-330-7462, Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays, 9-3.

 

Heart-disease risk quiz

Bridgeport Hospital offers “Take 10 for Your Ticker,” a free online heart-disease risk quiz. Quiz is available at bridgeporthospital.org, by clicking on the link in the “Take 10 for Your Ticker” box.

For those without access to the Internet, a free printed copy of the quiz, with an explanation of results, is available by calling 1-888-357-2396.

 

Breast cancer support

Woman to Woman of the Valley group meets second and fourth Thursday of the month, 6-7:30 p.m., Griffin Hospital Cancer Center, 350 Seymour Ave., Derby.

Information: Midge Johnson, breast care coordinator at Griffin Hospital, 203-732-7566 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or Joyce Grohe, co-facilitator, 203-888-3993.

 

Fibromyalgia support

Derby Fibromyalgia Support Group meets the last Tuesday of the month, 2-3:30, Griffin Hospital, 139 Division St., Derby; Daun Barrett, 203-732-7584.

 

Diabetes support

Diabetes Education & Support Group, in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association, meets September-June, second Tuesday of the month, 7 p.m., Griffin Hospital, Derby; open to all patients and families; 203-732-7371.

 

MS support

Derby MS support group meets third Wednesday of the month, 4:30-5:30, Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby; Lisa, 203-231-4716; ctfightsMS.org.

The Shelton MS support group meets second Monday of the month, 2-3:30, Plumb Library, 65 Wooster St., Shelton; 1-800-344-4867; ctfightsMS.org.

 

Bereavement support

Hosted by Griffin Hospital, second and fourth Wednesday of each month, 2:30-3:30. Facilitated by a chaplain and a social worker, the group is designed to provide ongoing support; 203-732-1100.

 

Overeaters anonymous

Free 12-step program for compulsive eaters, meets Mondays, Fridays, noon-1, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 25 Church St., Shelton; 203-454-6607.

 

Addiction support groups

Higher Ground Ministry is a Christ-centered support group for those affected by addictions in their life or the life of a family member or friend. A new meeting for high school teenagers will be conducted every Thursday, 7-8:30, Trinity Church, 300 North Benson Road, Fairfield; 203-888-9974; highergroundministry.org.

If you have a problem with alcohol, substance abuse, compulsive behavior or are living with a loved one who has an addiction, attend a support group Tuesdays, 6:30-8, Calvary Evangelical Free Church, 498 White Plains Road, Trumbull; Wednesdays, 7:30-9, Crossroads Community Church, 5958 Main St., Trumbull.

 

Caregiver support groups

Atria Stratford Assisted Living, 6911 Main St., offers a support group for family caregivers of persons with Alzheimer’s disease, or related dementia, living at home or in an extended care facility. Group meets first Wednesday of the month, 6-7; 203-380-0006.

Grasmere Eldercare Center: 240 Colony St., Fairfield, offers open discussion about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, last Friday of month, 1-2. RSVP Courtney: 203-259-6699 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Jewish Family Service, 2370 Park Ave., Bridgeport, offers support group for family members or friends helping with the care of adults over 60, meets first Wednesday of month, 6-7:30 p.m. RSVP: 203-366-5438, Ext. 219.

Sunset Shores Adult Day Health Center, 720 Barnum Avenue Cut Off, Stratford, offers a support group for people caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia. Meetings are the second Wednesday of the month, 4-5; 203-380-1228.

St. Vincent’s SWIM family support group meets first Tuesday of each month, 4-5:30 p.m., Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care at St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. No reservations required; 203-576-6158; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

 

Prostate cancer survivors

St. Vincent’s SWIM Prostate Cancer Survivors Educational Lecture Series and Support Group meets at Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, at St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. Call 203-576-6158 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for dates and times of lectures. No reservations required.

 

Yoga for cancer patients

St. Vincent’s Yoga for Cancer Patients & Survivors, Tuesdays, 10-11 a.m. (patients in treatment); Wednesdays, 4:30-5:30 p.m. or 6-7 p.m. (cancer survivors), The Watermark, 3030 Park Ave., Bridgeport. To register call 203-576-6158.

Restorative yoga classes, gentle chair yoga with breathing and meditation for patients in active treatment or post-surgery, Thursdays, 10-11 a.m., Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, third floor conference room, St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. To register call 203-576-6158.

 

Massage therapy

Massage is offered to patients undergoing active treatment (chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy); free for a limited time, Mondays, 1-4, third floor of Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care at St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. Call 203-576-5249 for a 30-minute appointment.

 

Breast cancer wellness

St. Vincent’s Breast Cancer Survivor Wellness program, intended for women who have recently undergone breast cancer surgery and those further along in their recovery, 4:30-5:30, Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care at St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. No reservations required. For dates, call 203-576-6158.

 

Breast cancer stories

Bizymoms.com has helped many women with whatever information it is they may be seeking about breast cancer. A panel of cancer experts, women, wives, and mothers are waiting to share their expertise and stories while learning about yours. Visit bizymoms.com/cares/breastcancer.

 

Cancer boutique

St. Vincent’s partners with Saxon-Kent Lingerie of Orange to provide special products for women battling cancer. Boutique hours: Monday-Friday, 10-4. Fitting hours for wigs, prosthesis, mastectomy bras, lymphedema sleeves etc: Tuesdays, 2-4; Wednesdays, 10-noon; or by appointment; 203-576-6158; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Boutique hours: 10-4.

 

Breast cancer support

St. Vincent’s Breast Cancer Survivor support group meets the first and third Tuesdays of the month 5:30-7 p.m., Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care at St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport.; 203-576-6158.

Woman-to-Woman, an American Cancer Society sponsored support group for women who have had breast cancer or who have been newly diagnosed, meets monthly, 2-4 p.m., Cambridge Manor, 2428 Easton Tpke., Fairfield; 1-800-889-3340.

 

Cancer support group

If you currently are in treatment for cancer and are receiving radiation treatments and/or chemotherapy or have had treatments in the past 12 months, join us for a one-hour dialogue. Meetings are 6-7 p.m., Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, St. V’s, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. Meeting dates, call 203-576-6158.

 

Cancer resource library

St. Vincent’s SWIM Cancer Resource Library is open Monday-Friday, 9-5, Maureen Ringel Cancer Resource Library, Elizabeth Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, St. V’s. Medical Center, 2800 Main St., Bridgeport. A representative is available to assist visitors with navigation of web-based searches, cancer clinical trial searches and direct patient referrals to a variety of free resources Monday-Friday, 9-1.

 

Free hearing tests

Offered in the office or at home, by Affordable Hearing Solutions, LLC, Orange Medical Center, 380 Boston Post Road #107, Orange, Monday-Friday, 9-5; free. Call 799-7775, for an appointment. Tests also offered at Waterbury office, 2457 East Main St.; call 203-574-5377.

 

Scleroderma support

The American Society For Scleroderma Research has formed a support group for all afflicted by this disease. Group meets every second Thursday, 6:30-7:30 p.m., St. Vincent Medical Center, Main Street, Bridgeport; Aimee Turiano or Joy LoSchiavo, 203-273-2034.

 

Donate vehicles

RedcrossMotors converts donated vehicles into dollars to help support the local chapter. Most motorized vehicles including boats, trailers, trucks, motorcycles and motor homes are accepted, running or not.

Information: 1-877-RCDONOR (732-6667).

 

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