Yoga class

      Jules Bender, registered and certified Kripalu yoga instructor, will demonstrate ways to improve flexibility, strength, energy and general well-being, while achieving a state of complete relaxation. Participants are advised to arrive 10 minutes early, wear comfortable clothing and bring a tapas yoga mat, small pillow and blanket; eating dinner after class is preferred.
      Space is limited and pre-registration is required. For information or to register, call 1-888-53-WOMEN.

Making the connection

      Franklin Hospital Medical Center's community education program called "Healthy Mind...Healthy Body," will have their next presentation on Thurs., Jan. 3, 7:30 p.m.
      The program will address the "Making the Connection," aspect of a "Healthy Mind, Healthy Body" life-style and will be held in the hospital's Shankman auditorium, 900 Franklin Avenue.
      For additional information about this new series of community education programs, call Kathy Bradfield, M.S.W., at (516) 256-6440.
Warm a heart with a warm coat

      It was 50 years ago when Alice Jeny began her volunteer career with Mercy Medical Center. Reminiscing, she talks about how she would go straight from her daytime job to Mercy's gift shop to volunteer. Today, she continues her volunteer work for the hospital by spending every Tuesday at Mercy Medical Center's Thrift Shop in Hempstead. She says, "Whenever I was needed, I went. I like dealing with people and I like making money for a charity."
      The outlet has been serving the community for over a quarter century and is run completely by volunteers, raising an average of $20,000 per year for the hospital.
      Barbara Mason, chairperson of the Thrift Shop, said, "The shop has a dual purpose: to serve the community following the Sister's Mission and to be a fund-raiser for the Council of Leagues."
      All items are donated by the community, for the community, including women's, men's and children's clothing, shoes, linens, holiday items, glassware, pocketbooks, luggage, jewelry, as well as children's toys and games.
      Currently, the outlet is in great need of gently used winter coats. Please drop off your donated winter coat or other items to Mercy Medical Center's Thrift Shop, 369 Peninsula Boulevard, Hempstead, between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please call (516) 481-9379.

Oceanside resident returns to South Nassau's cancer program

      The opportunity to be a part of South Nassau Communities Hospital's growing, high-quality cancer program was too enticing to turn down. So, Stephanie Powers, a resident of Oceanside, accepted the offer to return to South Nassau to serve as a radiation therapist in its Radiation Oncology Department.
      "As a resident of Oceanside," Powers said, "I know the impact South Nassau's mission to provide comprehensive, compassionate health care has had on the quality of life in the local communities. I am proud to be a part of this ambitious expansion. South Nassau is once again responding to the communities' needs, ensuring that families don't have to travel great distances for the health care services they need."
      As a radiation therapist, Powers will assist in the development, management and delivery of radiation treatment therapy plans and educate patients about their treatment and any expected side effects. She is experienced in advanced and conventional radiation therapy treatment, including external beam radiation therapy, brachytherapy, intensified modulated radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery.
      South Nassau recently launched a major, three-phase expansion of its cancer program that will establish it as Long Island's premier provider of cancer care.

Other events and activities

Correction: For more information about the artificial anal sphincter reported on in last week's Health column, call Marvin Corman, MD, at (718) 470-7213... Safe-Sitter program is scheduled at Thurs., Dec. 27, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Mercy Medical Center, 1000 North Village Avenue. Designed to teach valuable child-care skills to children between the ages of 11 and 13 who baby-sit or are interested in becoming babysitters. $30 fee. Call (516) 705-1807 to register... Ostomy Club is meeting on Thurs., Jan. 17, 7:30 p.m. at Franklin Hospital Medical Center, 900 Franklin Avenue, in the Dr. Alvin Greenburg Conference Center. For more information, call (516) 256-6024... Support group for people with fibromyalgia by the Arthritis Foundation, will meet on Thurs., Jan. 10, 1 p.m. at Island Trees Library, 38 Farmedge Road, Levittown. Call (631) 427-8272... Free food is available to low-income New York State seniors through Catholic Charities Food & Nutrition program. Seniors over age 60 who meet the program's financial guidelines are entitled to this monthly supplemental food. Call (516) 623-4568.