Elekta VMAT treatment

Elekta VMAT treatment

YOUNGSTOWN — Partners for Urology Health, a joint venture between Humility of Mary Health Partners, NEO Urology Associates Inc., and Advanced Urology Inc., have installed a radiation oncology center with Elekta Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT), a new treatment option for cancer patients.

Elekta VMAT conforms the radiation to a tumor’s shape, thereby delivering the radiation only to the intended area and sparing more surrounding healthy tissue and avoiding nearby critical anatomy.

To further ensure accuracy, 3-D imaging at ultra-low doses allows staff to quickly and safely verify tumor position prior to treatment.

This new technology reduces the time required for radiotherapy sessions to five minutes or less, said Dr. Rashad, El-Dabh, radiation oncologist.

TMH gets designation

WARREN — Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association has designated Trumbull Memorial Hospital (TMH) as a Blue Distinction Center for Knee and Hip Replacement.

The award recognizes the excellent care and outcomes given at TMH by physicians, nurses and therapists.

TMH offers gender-specific knees and custom-made instrumentation for total knee replacements; and with significant improvements in weight-bearing technology, new devices could theoretically last forever, said Dr. Thomas Jones, chief of orthopedic surgery at the hospital.

Future Fitness Club for kids

YOUNGSTOWN — The Youngstown Jewish Community Center has teamed with Akron Children’s Hospital and Kohl’s Community Youth Fitness to start Future Fitness Club, a community-based weight management program for children and teens 8-13.

The eight-week fitness and nutrition program is designed to encourage safe weight loss.

Under the program, participants learn healthy eating habits and participate in games and other activities.

The program is under way and runs until March 5.

Classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Community Center, 505 Gypsy Lane.

For information, call Jennifer McNeil at (330) 746-3250, ext. 187.

Walk-in H1N1 clinic set

GREENVILLE, Pa. — Greenville Medical Center-UPMC is offering walk-in H1N1 flu vaccination clinics for Medical Center patients only from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Feb. 17 and 24.

The cost is $20. Insurance is accepted.

Anyone who comes to the clinic for a vaccination should wear short sleeves.

Appointments are not necessary.

For more information, call Greenville Medical Center-UPMC at (724) 588-4240.

Pediatric suite opens

HERMITAGE, Pa. — Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC has opened a specialty pediatric suite in Hermitage, offering access to experts from Children’s Hospital to residents of Lawrence, Mercer, Mahoning, and Trumbull counties.

The Children’s Hospital Specialty Care Center Hermitage is located at the Womancare Center of UPMC Horizon, 875 N. Hermitage Road.

To contact the center, call (724) 347-4596 or toll free at (877) 545-9361.

Well-child immunizations

GIRARD — Girard Health Department, 100 W. Main St., is offering a well-child immunization clinic on Wednesday at 11 a.m.

A $5 administrative fee is charged per child.

Parents are reminded to bring a copy of the child’s immunization record.

A parent or guardian must accompany children under the age 18, and parents must preregister their child prior to the clinic.

Call (330) 545–6048 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Diabetes prevention program

YOUNGSTOWN — Registration dates for the free Stepping Out Minority Diabetes Prevention Program this month are: Saturday, noon to 2 p.m., McGuffey Center, 1649 Jacobs Road; Feb. 18, 5 to 7 p.m., United Methodist Community Center, 334 North Pearl St.; and Feb. 24, 5 to 7 p.m., OCCHA, 3660 Shirley Road.

Activities include line dancing, salsa and aerobics; information about diabetes prevention; healthy eating and cooking classes; health screenings for cholesterol, body fat, weight and blood pressure; and weekly prize drawings for regular participation.

This program is provided with support from Humility of Mary Health Partners, Associated Neighborhood Centers, OCCHA and United Methodist Community Center.

For more information, call the McGuffey Center, (330) 744-4377; OCCHA, (330) 781-1808; or United Methodist Community Center, (330) 743-5149, ext. 226.

Education for caregivers

BOARDMAN — The Alzheimer’s Association – Greater East Ohio Area Chapter’s Community Council is offering a free six-part Caregiver Education Series.

The series highlights topics such as caregiver stress, levels of care, and legal and financial matters.

All programs are at 2 p.m.

All are welcome to attend.

The first program, “Caregiver Stress,” is at 2 p.m. Thursday at 7206 Market St., Suite B, Boardman.

Other sessions are: April 8, “Levels of Care”; “Did You Know”; June 10, “Legal and Financial Matters”; Aug. 12, “Maintain Your Brain”; Oct. 14, “Opportunities for Communication”; and Nov. 11, “Safety Issues and Alzheimer’s Disease.”

Call Tina Goynes at (330) 533-3300 to enroll.

Training hot-line volunteers

YOUNGSTOWN — Help Hotline Crisis Center is offering free training classes for people interested in volunteering for the 24-hour hot line.

The classes are from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on six consecutive Mondays, Feb. 22 through March 29, and one Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Volunteers are asked to make a six-month commitment.

For further information, contact Help Hotline at (330) 747-2696.