Breathing class
Breathing class
VILLA MARIA, Pa. -- EverGreen and Villa Maria Sister Services will be host to "Contemplating the Breath" as part of its complementary health series at 6:30 p.m. March 22 at Villa Maria Community Center. Bailey, a yoga and meditation instructor, will discuss the benefits of paying more attention to breathing. There's no fee or registration. Call (724) 964-8920 Ext. 3362 or 3350 for more information.
Donation support
YOUNGSTOWN -- LifeBanc, the organ procurement organization for northeastern Ohio, will have its annual "Run for Your Life" April 1. Proceeds help LifeBanc educate the public on the need for organ and tissue donors. More than 1,200 people from northeastern Ohio are awaiting transplants. Registration will be at Kilcawley Center at Youngstown State University. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. A 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) run and a 1-mile fun walk will be at 9 a.m. The cost is $10 in advance or $12 on race day. Call (888) 558-5433.
Foundation benefit
HOWLAND -- Forum Health Sports Medicine's fifth annual 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) run and 1-mile fun run-walk with a wheelchair division begins at 9 a.m. April 21 at Hillside Rehabilitation Hospital. Registration begins at 7:45 a.m. The cost is $12 for the race and $11 for the walk. Proceeds benefit Trumbull Memorial Hospital Foundation. For information, call (330) 841-9675, or print a registration due April 16 by visiting www.forumhealth.org.
Surgeons inducted
CANFIELD -- Dr. Leslie J. Schwendeman and Dr. James P. Jamison were among 622 people inducted Feb. 28 as fellows of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons at its 68th annual meeting in San Francisco. The doctors' office is in Canfield. Dr. Schwendeman specializes in hand and upper extremity surgery, and Dr. Jamison's specialty is in joint replacement and revision surgery.
Ministers trained
YOUNGSTOWN -- Park Vista has commissioned three more Stephen Ministers who provide comfort to those who have experienced a loss, bringing its total to 12 lay ministers.
The three are: Dr. Agnes Martinko, a retired educator; Audrey Jewell, a Park Vista resident; and John Tucker, a member of Zion Lutheran Church.
Arthritis events
AUSTINTOWN -- AustinWoods Health Care Center and the Arthritis Foundation, Northeastern Ohio Chapter, will be host to a free informational meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday that will include a talk on reflexology. Call (330) 792-7681.
The Arthritis Foundation and Creekside Fitness and Health Center in Boardman will be host to juvenile arthritis meetings at Creekside on the last Saturday of each month. Meetings are at 10 a.m. and a free swim is from 11 a.m. to noon. The March 31 meeting will discuss alternate therapies for arthritis. Call (330) 758-7170.
Drug guide offer
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Cost Containment Research Institute in Washington, D.C., has published its fourth edition of a 32-page booklet entitled, "Free & amp; Low Cost Prescription Drugs." For a copy, send $5 to: Institute Fulfillment Center, Booklet PD-370, P.O. Box 210, Dallas, Pa. 18612-0210, or call (202) 478-0481.
Health program
YOUNGSTOWN -- Forum Health is offering "The Spirit of Yoga and Drumming Workshop" March 24. Continuing education hours will be awarded. The cost is $30. Register by Friday. For more information, call (330) 740-3622.
Blood pressure
WARREN -- Blood pressure screenings will be offered from 10 a.m. to noon at the Warren Public Library and 1 to 3 p.m. at the Cortland Library, both on March 19.
Red Cross training
WARREN -- The American Red Cross Trumbull County Chapter is offering a "Preventing Disease Transmission" class at 6 p.m. March 27. The cost is $20.
Breast-feeding class
YOUNGSTOWN -- A prenatal breast-feeding class is at 6:30 p.m. March 27 at Northside Medical Center. The cost is $10, or free for women enrolled in one of Forum Health's childbirth classes. Call (800) 842-9727 to register.
Driving class
BOARDMAN -- A "55 Alive Driving Class" will be offered from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 29 and 30 at Beeghly Medical Park. People must attend both days to receive their certificate. The cost is $10 per person. Registration is required. Call (800) 842-9727.
Health screenings
GIRARD -- Life Line Screening will offer tests to detect the risk of stroke and vascular disease, including the carotid artery, abdominal aortic aneurysm and ankle brachial index tests. Each test costs $35. Tests will be offered March 24 at St. Rose Catholic Church, Girard, and at the Hubbard Municipal Building on March 26.
Brain study
PITTSBURGH -- A neurosurgeon at the University of Pittsburgh has started a study to evaluate the use of a new material as a covering for the brain and spinal cord during surgery.
The material, called Durasis Dural Substitute, is created from pig intestines and may replace dura mater -- a tough, fibrous layer of tissue covering the spinal cord and brain.
Dr. Ghassan Bejjani, the study's principal investigator, said Durasis "acts as a scaffold on which human tissue grows." He added that Durasis eventually becomes absorbed by the body as cells multiply.
The study already has several patients and is expected to evaluate the material's safety. The study will also see if there are any complications from its use, including cerebral spinal fluid leakage and infection.