Understanding insurance
Understanding insurance
BOARDMAN -- Forum Health Cancer CareCenters are offering a free community education program to help cancer patients and their families better understand and interpret new health insurance and Medicare guidelines.
"Understanding Health Insurance and Medicare: a Comprehensive Guide for Patients Facing Cancer," is from 5:15 to 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 31 at Beeghly Medical Park, Building C, 6505 Market St.
The program will cover issues such as: disability benefits; patient rights and responsibilities; interpreting recent changes to Medicare; understanding pre-certification and plan requirements; and estate planning and financial concerns.
Call (800) 842-9727 for reservations or more information. Light refreshments will be served.
Speaking about research
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- Thelma Patrick, Ph.D., whose topic is "Why Participate in Research?," is the featured speaker for a program, "Research: We Have Questions ... You Can Help Us Find the Answers," offered by the Womancare Center of UPMC Horizon, affiliated with Magee-Womens Hospital, 875 N. Hermitage Road, from 6 to 8 :30 p.m. Tuesday.
Patrick, of Hubbard, is a registered nurse and director of patient care research at Magee-Womens Research Institute.
In addition, sessions on research studies in hypnotherapy for birth and smoking cessation, urinary incontinence, depression during childbearing, and pre-eclampsia, also known as toxemia, will be offered during the program, which is free and open to the public.
For more information and to register, call (724) 347-7700 or (866) 347-7700.
Bone-density screenings
HERMITAGE, Pa. -- The Womancare Center of UPMC Horizon, 875 N. Hermitage Road, is offering free monthly bone-density screenings from 9 to 11 a.m. the first Friday of the month, beginning Feb. 3 and lasting through May 5. Registration is required. Call (724) 3347-7700 or toll-free at (866) 347-7700.
Department accreditation
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The Jameson Radiation Oncology Department has been awarded a three-year accreditation in radiation oncology by the American College of Radiology (ACR). It is one of 19 ACR-accredited radiation oncology clinics in the tri-state area of Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Dr. Julian Proctor is medical director of radiation oncology at Jameson Hospital.
Quit-smoking program set
YOUNGSTOWN -- A tobacco cessation program for pregnant women and mothers, called "Putting Kids Above Cigs," is offered at 5 p.m. Tuesday at the McGuffey Centre, 1649 Jacobs Road. The Ohio Hospital Association Foundation for Health Communities and the Associated Neighborhood Centre provided funds for the program, which includes transportation, child care, refreshments and other incentives. To register, call (330) 744-4377.
Volunteers needed
YOUNGSTOWN -- Adult volunteers are needed to present a 45-minute program on smoking and alcohol cessation, provided by Health for Humanity, to pupils in grades four through eight in schools in Mahoning and Columbiana counties. Health for Humanity is a nonprofit, charitable organization with a local chapter in Boardman.
The school programs occur March through April. Volunteers are asked to attend a three-hour orientation session and commit to at least three presentations. People who have some public speaking experience are preferred. To volunteer, call (330) 538-2292.
Nutritionist to speak
YOUNGSTOWN -- Dr. Mohammed Shayesteh, nutritionist and weight-loss specialist, will speak at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 1 at Four Mile Run Christian Church, 701 N. Four Mile Run Road. The event is free and open to the public.
Baby sitter training
WARREN -- Baby sitter training classes will be from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Feb. 17 and 20 at the American Red Cross, Trumbull County Chapter, 661 Mahoning Ave., N.W., for pupils ages 11 to 15. Basic child care, safe play, simple meal and snack preparation, first aid and assistance to choking victims will be covered. Participants will receive a first-aid kit, baby sitter's handbook and backpack. The cost is $40. Call (330) 392-2551 for the required registration.
NAMI meeting planned
AUSTINTOWN -- The NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) Mahoning Valley's 2006 planning and organizational meeting is Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the D & amp;E Center, 142 Javit Court.
Some of the main items for discussion in 2006 include: 1st Annual NAMI Walk in the Mahoning Valley; scheduling and details of the 12-week Family-to-Family education classes; membership and media goals for the affiliate grant; state NAMI convention in Columbus and national convention in Washington, D.C.; NAMI activities for "May is Mental Health Month"; collaboration with other community mental-health partners; NAMI outreach activities; fund raising; and local advocacy initiatives. For more information, call (330) 545-9148.
Tobacco education event
YOUNGSTOWN -- "Clearing the Air," a tobacco education presentation, is offered from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at the Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana, 3660 Shirley Road. The program, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, Humility of Mary Health Partners Cancer Centers, and Organizacion Civica y Cultural Hispana Americana, is free and open to the public. Dinner is provided. To register, call (888) 227-6446.
Health systems grant
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Ohio North East Health Systems' $1,971,486 annual operations grant has been renewed for a five-year period by the U.S. Health Resources and Service Administration.
The grant, which represents about one-third of the health-care system's base operating budget, is usually adjusted upward each year to reflect the increased number of uninsured in the community, said Dr. Ron Dwinnells, chief executive officer.
The system's corporate headquarters is at the Youngstown Community Health Clinic, 726 Wick Ave. ONEHS also operates the Warren West Community Health Clinic, 716 Tod Ave. S.W., Warren; and Good Samaritan, 405 S. Linden Ave., Alliance.