Healthcare

Southcoast Hospitals today announced its new Wound Care Center in Fall River, which will house the first hyperbaric oxygen treatment chambers in Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay R.I., will open on March 15.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Some 40 employees of Southcoast Hospitals Group will be attending a week-long training in Alabama during the week of March 15 provided and fully funded by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security at the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Center for Domestic Preparedness.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - The Southcoast Health Van provides free education and screenings for the community addressing cardiac disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. It also serves as an off-site blood donation center for the Southcoast Blood Bank.

Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care announces six  cancer support groups beginning in March 2010.

More than twenty Massachusetts municipal leaders announced today the formation of a new coalition, Save Our Communities Coalition, which will work to advance healthcare plan design legislation. The group gathered at the invitation of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino last week to discuss how cities and towns can control rising employee health care costs without the authority to modify health plan design, as it stands under the current state law. With growing healthcare costs taking a large percentage of already tight budgets, municipal officials are working together to advocate for a more efficient use of taxpayer money.

Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care announces six cancer support groups beginning in March 2010.

A message from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, National Institutes of Health - Toxoplasmosis - Pregnant women should be aware of a disease called toxoplasmosis. When acquired during pregnancy, it can cause birth defects, spontaneous abortion, or stillbirth.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group and Northeast Ear Nose & Throat Surgeons will be offering free head and neck cancer screenings on the Southcoast Health Van on Wednesday, April 14, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at CVS/Pharmacy, 1145 Kempton St. in New Bedford.

Reservations are required for the screening. To register, call the Southcoast Wellness Line at 1-800-497-1727.

Southcoast Hospitals Group has named Patricia A. Nelson as Director of Oncology Operations for the Southcoast Centers for Cancer Care.

In her new role at Southcoast, Nelson will oversee the administrative staff and function in both medical and radiation oncology for Southcoast’s cancer centers in Fall River and North Dartmouth as well as the new flagship center being built in Fairhaven.

FAIRHAVEN, Mass. — FUN 107 and the Fogaren family today announced plans to hold a memorial walk and family-friendly event to honor Sharon Fogaren, the co-host of the “J.R. & Sharon” morning radio show on FUN 107, who passed away after a brief illness this past September.

The Disability Law Center is sponsoring a free training and clinic for parents on special education transition services for children with disabilities, ages 14-22 on March 27, 2010 at the New Bedford Public Library. The training will be conducted in Portuguese and English. Language interpretation will be provided. People can register on line at www.dlc-ma.org or 800-872-9992. Spaces are still available.

New Bedford, Massachusetts – New Bedford Health officials announce upcoming H1N1 (swine) Flu and Seasonal Flu vaccination clinic. The clinic will take place on Saturday, February 20, 2010 between the hours of 11:00am and 3:00pm at Our Lady of Assumption Parish Center located at 47 South Sixth Street with ample parking in the church lot. The clinic will offer H1N1 and Seasonal Flu vaccinations. The New Bedford Health Department has been working closely with the Immigrants’ Assistance Center, the Fall River Diocese, and the Interchurch Council to promote this clinic and provide outreach to the non-English speaking populations in our community.

New Bedford, Massachusetts – New Bedford Health officials announce upcoming H1N1 (swine) Flu and Seasonal Flu vaccination clinics. The first clinic will take place on Saturday, February 13, 2010 between the hours of 11:00am and 3:00pm at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish Center located on the corner of Rivet Street and Crapo Street with parking in the rear of the building on Crapo Street. The second clinic will take place on Saturday, February 20, 2010 between the hours of 11:00am and 3:00pm at Our Lady of Assumption Parish Center located at 47 South Sixth Street with ample parking in the church lot. Both clinics will offer H1N1 and Seasonal Flu vaccinations. The New Bedford Health Department has been working closely with the Immigrants’ Assistance Center, the Fall River Diocese, and the Interchurch Council to promote these clinics and provide outreach to the non-English speaking populations in our community.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group is sponsoring a series of free vascular screenings at its three hospital sites this spring.

The non-invasive screenings are performed by a trained nurse and take approximately 20 minutes. Patients should arrive 15 minutes prior to screening time.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospice & Palliative Care is looking for volunteers, including but not limited to, veterans and Portuguese speaking individuals in the Greater New Bedford and Wareham areas to provide emotional support to patients and their families.

“One thing all hospice volunteers have in common is a true desire to help,” said Jo-Ann Richard, Volunteer Coordinator at Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion Services. “Some provide care and comfort to patients and their families while others prefer to assist with fundraising events, bereavement services, memorial planning, community networking, office tasks and other helpful duties.”

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group has announced the recipients of the 2009 Southcoast President’s Award for Excellence. Nominated by their co-workers, the President’s Award recognizes 12 individuals and one team, for outstanding performance, culture behaviors, and overall quality of services provided.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - The Southcoast Health Van provides free education and screenings for the community addressing cardiac disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. It also serves as an off-site blood donation center for the Southcoast Blood Bank.

Southcoast Hospitals Group will be hosting free public H1N1 flu vaccination clinics in Fall River and New Bedford. College students are urged to attend the two clinics being held at Bristol Community College’s Fall River campus. The following are the times and locations:

The 12th annual Community Nurse & Hospice Care’s Spaghetti Supper will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2009 from 4-7p.m. at St. Francis Xavier School at 223 Main Street in Acushnet. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12 years old and may be purchased in advance or at the door.

Heart disease is the #1 killer of women. One of every 3 American women dies of heart disease. The YWCA Southeastern Massachusetts is holding its 7th Annual Red Dress Fashion Show & Silent Auction to raise awareness of heart disease in women. The event will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 5:00 pm at the Century House in Acushnet.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — The Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke’s Hospital announced its new “Double Red Cell” collection program to strengthen the local blood supply.

“Southcoast’s new Double Red Blood Cell program addresses the critical demand for red blood cells at Southcoast Hospitals by using a new technology that collects two units of red cells, safely, in one blood donation,” said John Laverty, MD, Medical Director of the Southcoast Blood Bank.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals has lifted the restriction on siblings in the maternity units. Children under the age of 18, who are not siblings to the new baby, will continue to be restricted from the maternity and pediatric units. In addition, no visitors with cold or flu symptoms will be allowed. The policy applies to Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Hospitals Group will be hosting free public H1N1 flu vaccination clinics at its three hospital sites next week. The following are the times and locations:

New Bedford, Massachusetts – New Bedford Health officials have announced plans for a large-scale H1N1 (swine) flu vaccination clinic for all New Bedford residents. The clinic will take place on Saturday, January 9, 2010 between the hours of 10:00am and 2:00pm at Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School located at 1121 Ashley Boulevard, New Bedford, Massachusetts 02745.  

Southcoast Hospitals Group has named Lisa Tager as Director of the Wound Care & Hyperbaric Medicine Center at Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River. She joins Gerald Monchik, MD, who has recently been appointed Medical Director for the Center.  http://www.southcoast.org/news/releases/2009/123009.html

FALL RIVER, Mass. — Gerald Monchik, MD, has been appointed Medical Director of the Southcoast Wound Care Center & Hyperbaric Medicine Program, scheduled to open in February 2010.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. — Southcoast Health System announced the appointment of George H. Beauregard, DO, as President & Chief Medical Officer of Southcoast Physicians Network (SPN).

The 12th annual Community Nurse & Hospice Care’s Spaghetti Supper will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2009 from 4-7p.m. at St. Francis Xavier School at 223 Main Street in Acushnet. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for children under 12 years old and may be purchased in advance or at the door.

Please join us for good food including spaghetti with sauce from Mike’s Restaurant, bread and dipping sauce from Not Your Average Joe’s, salad, dessert and beverages! This fun evening out will also include a 50/50 raffle and a chance auction with over 25 prizes! All proceeds from this event will benefit the patients and families of the agency’s Hospice Program.

Southcoast Home Care, Hospice & Palliative Care & Infusion and Autumn Glen will be co-sponsoring a Mind/Body/Spirit Medicine Workshop by Christa Johnson, MD, on Wednesday, January 20 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Autumn Glen, 239 Cross Road, North Dartmouth, Mass. Seating is limited, register by calling 508-992-8880.

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - The Southcoast Health Van provides free education and screenings for the community addressing cardiac disease, stroke, diabetes and cancer. It also serves as an off-site blood donation center for the Southcoast Blood Bank.