St. Elizabeth Hospice offering grief support meetings

St. Elizabeth Hospice will offer two 12-week grief support groups. The group is open to anyone who is grieving the loss of a loved one. The sessions will be facilitated by Nancy Eberhard, M.Div., hospice bereavement coordinator.

The evening group meets weekly on Mondays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the St. Elizabeth Hospice office, located in the lower level of the Bill Long Building, 1415 Salem St. in Lafayette. The group starts May 17 and ends on July 19.

A morning session will be held weekly on Fridays from 9:30 to 11 a.m. in a private conference room at MCL Cafeteria, 521 Sagamore Parkway West in West Lafayette. The group starts on May 21 and ends on July 23.

Some aspects of participating in a grief support group include:
• Giving information about the grief process so that people understand the changes that are happening;
• providing a safe place to share the grief experience; and
• sharing ideas on how to handle daily concerns and changes that come with grief.

Materials include a workbook and Understanding Your Grief, Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart, by Alan D. Wolfelt, Ph.D. Cost for the book is $12. Participants may return the book at the end of the final session for a full refund.

Registration is required and can be made by calling Nancy Eberhard at (765) 423-6732.

Kathryn Weil Center for Education offering community safety and parent education classes

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is offering community safety and parent education classes in May. Courses include:

• Expectant parent education classes (in classrooms or online);
• Public CPR;
• CPR/AED (automated external defibrillator);First aid classes; and
• Tours of the new Women’s Center at St. Elizabeth East.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400.

For more information or to register, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133 or visit www.ste.org/kwce.

Cholesterol screenings scheduled at Kathryn Weil Center for Education

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will offer cholesterol screenings by appointment on Thursday, May 13 at the center. The price is $30 and registration is required. The screening includes checking total cholesterol, HDL, total cholesterol/HDL ratio, triglycerides, LDL and glucose levels. Fasting is recommended as it provides more accurate results, but not required. You are encouraged to drink water prior to your test; black coffee and black tea are also acceptable. A staff member will discuss your individual results.

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education is located on the fourth floor of the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette. For more information or to schedule your screening, call the center at (765) 449-5133.

Neonatal resuscitation recertification course offered by Kathryn Weil Center for Education

The Kathryn Weil Center for Education will provide neonatal resuscitation certification and recertification programs in 2010. This course is designed to teach an evidence-based approach to newborn resuscitation.

A recertification class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5 at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education. Cost is $75 per person, and class size is limited.

To register or for more information, please call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133. Books may be picked up at least one week prior to taking the class from the Kathryn Weil Center for Education, which is located in the Medical Arts Building, 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400.

‘Motion for Moms’ starts May 4; ‘Motion for Moms Boot Camp’ set for May 5

The May session of “Motion for Moms” will start at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, May 4.
Motion for Moms is a light exercise and fitness program for expecting moms, as well as for moms who have recently delivered and is sponsored by St. Elizabeth Regional Health’s Physical Therapy Department.

This session of Motion for Moms is set for 5 to 6 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays, beginning on Tuesday, May 4 and going through Thursday, June 10. Cost is $40 for the 12 sessions. Medical clearance from your doctor is required prior to participation, unless more than 12 weeks postpartum. A release form can be obtained by calling the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

Motion for Moms includes traditional strengthening, stretching, endurance activities including yoga and Pilates, as well as resistive exercises to prepare the new mom for her childbirth experience and for caring for her newborn. An educational component will be a part of each section. Topics that will be covered will include nutrition, pain management during pregnancy, postpartum recovery, relaxation techniques, posture, foot care and safety information.

Motion for Moms will also offer a “Boot Camp” option, which is a more intense and high-impact workout session for postpartum moms. The Boot Camp will meet from 5 to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays, starting on Wednesday, May 5 and going through Wednesday, June 9. The cost for Boot Camp is $20 for six sessions.

Classes will be held at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education, which is located in the Medical Arts Building, located at 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette.
For more information or to register, please call the center at (765) 449-5133.

‘What You Need to Know About Strokes’ is May ‘Lunch and Learn’ topic

Carol Bailey, R.N., of St. Elizabeth Regional Health, will present “What You Need to Know About Strokes” at the May “Lunch and Learn.”

Bailey will discuss types of strokes, signs and symptoms and what you can do to decrease your risk factors.

“Lunch and Learn” is a monthly program offered by the Kathryn Weil Center for Education – this session will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, May 6.

Lunch is available for $6 for Spirit of Women members and $7 for non-members at 11:30 a.m. with the free educational program starting at noon. The program will be held at the Kathryn Weil Center for Education located inside the Medical Arts Building at 415 N. 26th St., Suite 400 in Lafayette.
Seating is limited and reservations are required; reservations must be received by Tuesday, May 4. To register or for more information, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

Women's health events in April and May

Leading organizations and St. Elizabeth Regional Health show women how making small changes can lead to surprisingly big health benefits
National Women's Health Week events offer practical tips and exercise incentive

St. Elizabeth Regional Health, da Vinci® Surgery, Curves®, the Office on Women's Health and About.com have joined together on a national prevention and wellness campaign designed to encourage women to take small steps toward living healthier lives. The Small Steps. Healthier Lives campaign was launched on April 11 with the www.smallsteps.about.com campaign Web site featuring details about the program and educational information.

St. Elizabeth Regional Health has partnered with physicians from Woman’s Clinic, Lafayette OB/GYN and Unity Healthcare to offer the following free events:

April 20, 2010
6 p.m.
Curves, 2200 Elmwood Ave., Ste. C-6, Lafayette
Featured speaker: Dr. Daniel J. Wickert, Lafayette OB/GYN
To register for this event, call Curves at (765) 448-9589.

May 5, 2010
Noon
Curves, 441 Sagamore Pkwy. W., West Lafayette
Featured speaker: Dr. Joel B. McCuaig, McCuaig, Knutson and Associates
To register for this event, call Curves at (765) 464-8233.

May 25, 2010
6 p.m.
St. Elizabeth East, North Entrance, 1701 S. Creasy Lane, Lafayette
Event will feature a demonstration of the daVinci robot and a multi physician panel to answer questions. To register for this event, call the Kathryn Weil Center for Education at (765) 449-5133.

All events are free, but registration is required.

New research confirms that many women put their own health last on their lengthy to-do lists.

da Vinci Women's Health: “Small Steps. Healthier Lives.” was created in response to a growing problem in America, as many women living with sensitive – yet treatable – gynecologic issues too often opt for a “wait and see” approach instead of seeking out definitive relief.

da Vinci Women's Health: “Small Steps. Healthier Lives” events are intended to reach thousands of women through doctor-led events that will educate women about the importance of taking control of their health. The goal of these events is to educate participants about preventive health measures, risks and treatment options for benign gynecologic issues, as well as help encourage woman to make checkups. Women who attend will also receive a 30-day free discount offer at participating Curves locations.