Certificate program

Certificate program

YOUNGSTOWN

Mercy College of Ohio, in partnership with Eye Care Associates in Warren, is providing lab and clinical hours for the Ophthalmic Technology certificate program available at the college’s Youngstown location at St. Elizabeth Youngstown Hospital.

Course lectures will be delivered in an online format, and hands-on labs will be offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Eye Care Associates. Students complete clinical hours and an online course in the spring, finishing the entire program in two semesters. Completion of the Ophthalmic Technology program prepares individuals to work directly with patients in a challenging, high-tech and in-demand career, said Donna Campbell, Ophthalmic Technology Program lead.

Ophthalmic assistants are allied health specialists who assist doctors in providing medical eye care by performing clinical tasks such as history-taking, administering tests, recording measurements, maintaining instruments and providing patient education. Many ophthalmic assistants also learn to perform photography and ultrasound imaging and may be trained to assist with laser treatments and surgery.

Surgery information

HERMITAGE, PA.

The Sharon Regional Health System is offering a free bariatric surgery informational session at 6 p.m. July 29 at the Hermitage Diagnostic and Imaging Center, 2435 Garden Way, Hermitage, Pa.

The session includes information on obesity and its impact on overall health, a review of surgical weight-loss options including benefits and risks, a look at Body Mass Index, along with other information to assist participants in making an informed decision about surgical weight-loss treatments.

The bariatric surgery program at Sharon Regional is under the direction of bariatric and minimally invasive surgeon Dr. Sheetal Nijhawan and features a multidisciplinary approach to weight-loss surgery.

For information, call 724-981-4561.

Volunteers needed

SHARON, PA.

The Hospice and Palliative Care Program of Sharon Regional Health System is recruiting volunteers to help families of the terminally ill in Mercer and northern Lawrence counties.

Prospective volunteers must complete a three-week volunteer training series scheduled for Wednesdays on Aug. 12, 19 and 26 from 1 to 4 p.m. or Nov. 4, 11 and 18 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hospice office, 1955 Shenango Valley Freeeway, Hermitage, Pa. Volunteers are asked to attend all three sessions.

Hospice volunteers help patients where they live – in their homes, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. They offer companionship, visit or read to patients, listen, hold a hand, run errands, allow caregivers to rest and help patients tell their stories. Volunteers can also give administrative support, assist with special events and provide community outreach by sharing the message of Sharon Regional’s Hospice program.

For information or to register, call Erin Zahniser at 724-308-7322.

Training workshop

PITTSBURGH

The Parkinson Foundation Western Pennsylvania is expanding exercise for those with Parkinson’s by coordinating a training workshop, Delay the Disease, for several area organizations, including Guardian Rehabilitation Services & Cool Springs Fitness and Aquatic in Mercer, Pa.

David Zid and Jackie Russell, Delay the Disease founders, will be in Pittsburgh on Thursday and Friday to train local fitness instructors and therapists on the benefits and tenets of the program enabling them to establish and lead classes. The training will take place at Health South in Sewickley.

For information, call Karen Cohn at 412-837-1357.