Health Newsmakers

September 29, 2013 12:00 AM

FITNESS PROGRAMS

NEW BEDFORD — Southcoast® Health System will offer the following medical fitness and rehabilitation programs during the month of October.

Medical Fitness Program

Individualized exercise program designed for those with cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, cancer, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, high blood pressure, overweight and chronic orthopedic conditions. $60 per month at three classes a week or $40 per month with two classes a week. At Durfee Union in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, and Tobey Hospital in Wareham. A doctor’s prescription is required. Call 508-961-5435.

Cardiac Rehabilitation

An ongoing, structured exercise and education outpatient program for individuals recovering from heart attack, heart surgery, heart disease or are high risk for the same. A physician referral is required. The cost is covered by most insurances. IAt Durfee Union in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Call 508-961-5435 for details.

Pulmonary Rehabilitation

This is a structured exercise and education program with oxygen saturation monitoring during exercise. It is designed for individuals with pulmonary diseases including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and COPD. The cost is covered by most insurances. The program meets year-round. A physician referral is required. The class is offered at Durfee Union in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham. Call 508-961-5435.

CELEBRATES REVIEW

NEW BEDFORD — The Board of Directors and staff of the Greater New Bedford Community Health Center had good reason to celebrate the outstanding operational assessment resulting from an extensive review carried out by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA). The review found that the Health Center was in compliance with all 19 health center program requirements. One of the reviewers noted that this does not happen often and has only seen it twice previously in 20 years.

The 19 health center program requirements are based in federal law and regulations. An on-site review of every federally qualified health center is performed periodically by HRSA. This intense review is focused primarily on the quality of clinical services, the quality of program administration, the quality of customer service, and the quality of management. The 19 program requirements are designed to protect patients, the organization, staff and the funding goven to the center, according to a press release from the center.

ADDED TO STAFF

FALL RIVE — Dr. R Mena M. Mesiha has joined Coastal Orthopaedics. Dr. Mesiha was most recently a fellow in orthopedic surgery at the Harvard Shoulder Fellowship, a resident orthopedic surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic and a research resident in biomedical engineering at the Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner Research Institute. He holds a bachelor’s degree in biology (with a concentration in neurobiology and a minor in Near Eastern Studies) from Cornell University, and received his MD degree from SUNY Downstate Medical Center.

He has taught surgery as a clinical instructor at Case Western Reserve University and as an assistant instructor of orthopedic surgery at Harvard Medical School.

DAY OF HEALTH FOR WOMEN

DARTMOUTH — Southcoast® Health System’s annual “Day of Health for Women” will be Oct. 5 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Southcoast Center for Women’s Health located at 300B Faunce Corner Road in Dartmouth.

This free event is open to the public. Space is limited. Registration is required. Services are provided based on availability. To register, call 800-497-1727.

The following services will be available: acupuncture, massage, posture screenings, reflexology, reiki and bone density screenings.

Attendees can also learn more about products and services that help them live life better, such as: women’s cancer resources (Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care), weight management (Southcoast Center for Weight Loss), fitness (Curves of Dartmouth), Spa Noor, Beautycounter and the Wellness Resource Center.

The Southcoast Health Van will provide free screenings for cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure. Complimentary gift bag for all participants. Free raffles will include a grand prize drawing for a new Kindle Fire. Complimentary breakfast will be served.

For more information visit, www.southcoast.org/women.

JOINS HEALTH CENTER

NEW BEDFORD — The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center welcomes Dr. Allyce Sullivan to its dental staff.

Dr. Sullivan obtained her bachelor of science degree in biology from Brown University in Providence. She received her dental degree from Tufts School of Dental Medicine. She was a teaching assistant at Tufts University, assisting dental students with clinical procedures. As an educational volunteer with the R.I. Department of Health, she assisted in organizing oral health education programs. She has also been a Kid’s Kitchen Volunteer for the Salvation Army, a volunteer with the Providence Animal Rescue League and the Taunton Animal Shelter.

Anyone wishing to establish dental care at the Health Center, may call 508-984-7031 to make an appointment. To learn more about the Health Center, visit its web site at www.gnbchc.org.

FLU CLINIC

NEW BEDFORD — The Greater New Bedford Community Health Center will hold a flu clinic at its Caroline Street facility on Oct. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon. There is no out of pocket cost, but participants are asked to please bring in their insurance cards. Consent forms will be available for signing. The vaccine provides protection against seasonal flu and will be available to adults 18 years and older. The clinic will be at 26 Caroline St. For further information, call 508-996-1388.

BLOOD DRIVES

NEW BEDFORD — YMCA Southcoast has partnered with the Southcoast Blood Bank to offer donors a healthy incentive. Anyone who donates blood at the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke’s Hospital, or at any of the community blood drives hosted by the Southcoast Blood Bank, will receive a complimentary family guest pass to any YMCA Southcoast facility, and the Y will waive the joiner fee for any donor interested in a new YMCA membership (up to a $90 savings).

YMCA SOUTHCOAST facilities include the Dartmouth YMCA, the Fall River YMCA, the Gleason Family YMCA in Wareham, the Mattapoisett YMCA and the New Bedford YMCA.

Where to donate

Community Blood Drives: Southcoast hosts blood drives throughout the region on the Southcoast Health Van and at local businesses. To schedule a free blood drive, call Catherine Alegria, Southcoast Blood Donor Coordinator, at 508-993-0430 or by email at alegriac@southcoast.org.

The following is a full list of community blood drives taking place during the month of October:

WAREHAM

Oct. 4, Tobey Hospital, 43 High St., 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 17, Rosebrook, 100 Rosebrook Way, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

FAIRHAVEN

Oct. 6, St. Mary’s Church, 440 Main St., 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

SOMERSET

Oct. 11, Somerset Credit Union, 740 County St., 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WESTPORT

Oct. 19, Noquochoke Lodge, 305 Hixbridge Road, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

NEW BEDFORD

Oct. 20, St. Anthony of Padua, Father Michael J. McGivney Knights of Columbus Council, 1359 Acushnet Ave., 7:30 a.m. to 1p.m.

Oct. 22, The Oaks, 4525 Acushnet Ave., 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

FALL RIVER

Oct. 24, Bristol Community College, 777 Elsbree St., 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 25, Bristol Community College, 777 Elsbree St., 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Oct. 27, Lodge of Elks No. 118, 4500 North Main St., 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Oct. 29, Sam’s Club, 941 Grinnell St., 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Oct. 31, Charlton Memorial Hospital, 363 Highland Ave., 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

DARTMOUTH

Oct. 30, Southcoast Surgery Center, 300D Faunce Corner Road, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Individuals can also donate at the Southcoast Blood Bank located at St. Luke’s Hospital, 101 Page St., New Bedford, off the main lobby. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 to 2:30 p.m. The blood bank will be closed on Oct.19. We apologize for the inconvenience.

For more information or to make an appointment, call 508-961-5320 or visit, www.southcoast.org/bloodbank/.