South Nassau Family Medicine is establishing an educational series on childbirth preparation and breast-feeding for families with financial or language barriers that prevent access to services promoting health and social welfare during the childbearing years and beyond.The program, "Childbirth Preparation and Breast-feeding," is funded by a $26,738 grant awarded by the Maternity and Early Childhood Foundation. It is available to all South Nassau Family Medicine patients who are pregnant, as well as their families."This program will provide our patients with the information that will help them make informed, educated decisions concerning the care and wellness of themselves and their newborns," said Samuel Sandowski, MD, director of South Nassau's Family Practice Residency. "It is our belief that active participation by women, and their partners, will facilitate open communication with a physician, greatly enhancing the birth and parenting experience.""Childbirth Preparation and Breast-feeding" is a two-part, educational series presented in Spanish and English. Part one will focus on the steps to take when preparing for childbirth. Proper breast-feeding techniques and its health and wellness benefits, as well as effective parenting skills, will be covered in part two.For more information about the program, call (516) 255-8400.
The Fresh Start program
Mercy Medical Center offers the American Cancer Society's Fresh Start Program. It is designed to help participants stop smoking by providing them with all the essential information and strategies needed to direct their own efforts at quitting smoking. Participants are encouraged to apply what they learn in Fresh Start to other aspects of their lives.Each meeting is one-and-a-half hours and meets for four consecutive weeks. For further information, call Kathleen McCallen of Mercy Medical Center's Cardiac Rehabilitation Unit, (516) 705-1811.
Non-surgical alternative for fibroid tumors
In keeping with the state-of-the-art medical and surgical services that Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center has always provided to the community, 21st century techniques are now available for uterine fibroid treatment. Women who suffer from fibroid tumors can now choose a simpler and safer, non-surgical procedure without the physical and emotional impact of a hysterectomy. The procedure, called Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE), is now offered at Brookdale.Symptomatic uterine fibroids are extremely common in women of all ages. Some of the symptoms are heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic, leg or back pain. Once symptoms develop and if the fibroids fail to respond to medical therapy, a hysterectomy might be recommended. At Brookdale, a less invasive procedure is offered as an alternative by Dr. A. Dov Reichman, director of Vascular and Interventional Radiology."I suffered for years, now I feel fantastic. I was back at work after a week," said Lorraine Grinnage, medical staff assistant at Brookdale, who recently underwent the procedure.For more information call (718) 240-6743.
Events and activities...
Third Annual Women's Health Symposium will be on Fri., Nov. 9, 8 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the Garden City Hotel. Registration will begin at 8 a.m., opening remarks at 9:15 a.m. $35. Call (516) 465-2578... Mammograms for Women Over 40 is being offered at the Planned Parenthood Hempstead Health Center parking lot, 540 Fulton Avenue, Fri., Nov. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 2:25 p.m. An appointment is necessary. Call (516) 750-2500... Senior respite. The Education & Assistance Corp's Senior Respite Program provides weekly time off for individuals caring for those 60 or older. The program serves Nassau County residents and offers a free nurse's assessment, referral service and in-home companion. Call (516) 489-7733... Miracle on Wheels makes available power wheelchairs to non-ambulatory senior citizens (65 years old & up) usually at no out-of-pocket expense if they qualify. No deposit required. Call 1-800-749-8778.
