Health-care classes

Health-care classes
The Workforce Development and Continuing Studies Department of Kent State University's Salem and East Liverpool campuses offers a series of continuing-education classes for health-care professionals at various Columbiana County locations beginning Monday. The classes include leadership development, nurse's aide training, a registered-nurse skills refresher, a nurse preceptor course, and behavior modification strategies.
Call (330) 337-4187 for a free brochure or to register, or visit www.salem.kent.edu under Our Campus/Workforce Development.
Claims management kit
The American Medical Association offers a Claims Management Resource Kit that provides physicians and their office staff with a step-by-step approach to uncovering and appealing claims that have been inappropriately denied or underpaid by health plans. To request a kit, available to AMA members at no cost, call (800) 621-8335.
Diabetes, heart disease
FARRELL, Pa. -- Drs. Jocelyn Camara, a cardiologist, and Eva Toth, an endocrinologist, will present "Diabetes and Heart Disease: How the Two Intertwine," at 6:30 p.m. Monday at UPMC Horizon Shenango Valley. Registration is required. Call (724) 983-7168.
Children's vision clinic
LISBON -- The Columbiana County Health Department offers a pediatric vision clinic for county residents Wednesday at the Health Department, 7360 state Route 45.
A local optometrist and ophthalmologist will staff the clinic. Any child having problems with inflamed or watery eyes, blurred or double vision, crossed eyes, headaches or difficulty seeing things near or far away, may be seen at this clinic, said Robert Morehead, health commissioner.
A child may be referred by a doctor, nurse, teacher, parent or grandparent. To refer a child, call the Columbiana County Health Department to schedule an appointment, (330) 424-0272.
There is no charge for an examination at this clinic. Assistance is available for the purchase of glasses.
Ticket to Work forum
CANTON -- The Advocacy for Public Policy Change Program of the Brain Injury Association of Ohio, and the Canton Area Brain Injury Support Group, offer a free forum on the Ticket to Work legislation that may affect many Social Security beneficiaries. The forum is at 7 p.m. Thursday at Central Baptist Church, 4736 W. Tuscarawas. The featured speaker is Melissa Hollinger of Linking Employment, Abilities & amp; Potential in Cleveland, an agency designated by the Social Security Administration to implement Benefits Planning, Assistance and Outreach projects in 15 counties in Northeast Ohio, including Mahoning County.
Under the Ticket to Work program, SSA will send a "ticket" monthly to all recipients of Social Security Disability and Supplemental Security Income, a document they can use for access to employment and other benefits.
Call (330) 343-3668 or (888) 213-4452 to register or for more information.
Cancer camp scholarships
CANFIELD -- The American Cancer Society, Ohio Division, is offering $500 summer scholarships this year for oncology or special-interest camps for children between the ages of 7 and 18 who have cancer or who are in cancer remission.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens and residents of Ohio, be within five years of a cancer diagnosis or relapse, and plan to attend an oncology or special-interest camp in the United States.
Because of limited funding, the ACS is not able to award scholarships to all who apply. Preference will be given to those most recently diagnosed. To receive an application, which must be postmarked by March 27, call toll-free at (888) 227-6446 or visit www.cancer.org.
Doctors' discipline records
Public Citizen, a national consumer advocacy organization, offers a database of 20,543 physicians nationwide who have been disciplined by state medical boards and federal agencies for various reasons. Only South Dakota is not listed because the state refused to release information.
By visiting www.questionabledoctors.org, consumers can search the list of disciplined doctors for free. For $10, they can view and print disciplinary reports on up to 10 individual doctors over a one-year period.
Heart-health testing
All area Wal-Mart stores and select Sam's Club stores are offering customers free cholesterol and blood-pressure screenings, samples of heart-healthy foods, and information about cardiovascular disease as part of a national effort to raise awareness about heart disease. The event is at participating Sam's Clubs on Friday, and on Saturday at all Wal-Mart stores. The free screenings are in the pharmacy area from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Program on herb safety
LIBERTY -- Humility of Mary Health Partners, in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, is offering a program, "Herbs and Supplements ... Helpful or Harmful?" from 5 to 7:15 p.m. March 18 at the Holiday Inn MetroPlex, 1620 Motor Inn Drive.
Speaker Brian Sabol, a doctor of pharmacy with HMHP, will talk about the safety of herbal products, possible drug interactions resulting from herbal products, the Dietary Supplement, Health and Education Act, and the Federal Drug Administration's role in oversight of herbal products.
The cost is $5 per person, and the registration deadline is March 12. For more information or to register, call (887) 700-4647.
Fecal blood test kits
YOUNGSTOWN -- HMHP is offering free fecal occult blood tests (FOBT) during March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. FOBT is a chemical test that can detect hidden blood in the stool, which is a symptom of colorectal cancer. To receive the free FOBT kit, call HMHP at (887) 700-4647.
All kits should be returned in the pre-addressed envelope no later than June 1.
Book and film discussions
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The New Castle Public Library is hosting "Screening the Classics," a book discussion group that is part of the statewide "Read About It" series. Participants will receive free copies of books, and films will be available for viewing. A small group led by professor Jeanette Berg of Youngstown State University will discuss the relationships between literature and film adaptations. Advance registration is required. The four-session program starts at 1:30 p.m. March 17 in the Copernicus Room on the first floor of the library. Call the library at (724) 658-6659 to register.