Health digest || St. E’s wins award

St. E’s wins award

YOUNGSTOWN

The National Research Corporation has recognized St. Elizabeth Health Center as the 2010/11 Consumer Choice Award winner in the Youngstown market for the sixth consecutive year.

Therapy dogs

NEW CASTLE, PA.

Jameson Hospice of Lawrence County is recruiting volunteers to bring their therapy dogs to support and encourage hospice patients and their families at nursing homes, personal-care homes, hospitals and personal residences. Therapy dogs must be certified by an accredited therapy-dog organization, be an AKA canine good citizen, show current vaccination records and be in good health. For more information about becoming a Jameson Hospice volunteer, call the Jameson Hospice volunteer coordinator at 724-652-8847.

Vaccination clinics

HARRISBURG, PA.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health is offering free public influenza vaccination clinics Thursday, Friday and Saturday in communities statewide at 60 health centers. The clinics are from 2 to 7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. Appointments are strongly encouraged and can be made online at www.padohclinicappt.com 24 hours a day, or by calling 877-724-3258 daily between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Those under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Safety training

BOARDMAN

The American Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley is offering Red Cross Safety Training from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, at 8381 Market St. in the Adamas Plaza. The cost is $55. To register, call 330-726-6063 or 330-392-2551.

Blood provider

SHARON, PA.

Central Blood Bank, a regional blood-collection center based in Pittsburgh, recently became the sole provider of blood and blood products to Sharon Regional Health System. Central Blood Bank supplies blood products to more than 40 area hospitals in western Pennsylvania and northern West Virginia.

In preparation for Sharon Regional’s transition to a new blood supplier, the Health System and Central Blood Bank will begin enlisting local, Mercer County-based organizations to sponsor blood drives in 2011, said John Zidansek, president and chief executive officer of Sharon Regional.

Free lecture

BOARDMAN

Dr. Ted Suzelis will present a free lecture titled “Super Bugs: The Dangers of Antibiotic Overuse” today at 6:30 p.m. at his office located in the Southbridge Executive Park at 725 Boardman-Canfield Road, Suite K-4. He will discuss the benefits and dangers of antibiotic use, along with when it is appropriate to forgo antibiotic use and what can be done instead. To register, call 330- 729-1350 or go online to www.ohiond.com.

Baby-sitter training

WARREN

The American Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley is offering a Babysitter Training class from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 21 at the Warren location of the American Red Cross, 661 Mahoning Ave. NW, for boys and girls age 11-15. The cost is $50. To register your son or daughter, call 330-726-6063 or 330-392-2551.

Free screening

The American Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley is offering free blood-pressure screening to the general public at these locations: Dec. 21, 1-2:30 p.m., Struthers Library; Dec. 23, 1-4 p.m., Poland Public Library.