Cancer Support Programs, College Open House Slated At St Vincent’s

BRIDGEPORT — A free Family Support Group for adult patients, family members, and friends who are coping with a diagnose of leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and Hodgkin’s disease is being offered at St Vincent’s on the first Tuesday of every month from 4 to 5:30 pm.

The next meeting will be on Tuesday, October 2.

The group is co-sponsored by St Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

The group is facilitated by social worker Eileen Bohan, MSW, and Director of Integrative Oncology Teresa Money McLaughlin, RN, MSN, AOCN.

Also, St Vincent’s Look Good Feel Better program, co-sponsored by St Vincent’s SWIM Across the Sound and the American Cancer Society, next meeting date is Thursday, October 11, from 1 to 3 pm.

This meeting is a supportive first step toward renewed self-esteem and self-confidence for women undergoing radiation and/or chemotherapy treatment. By promoting emotional recovery, the program helps women look and feel their best.

Reservations are required. Lunch is provided for this program only. Free parking is available in new garage.

Both the support group and Look Good group meet in the Elizabeth M. Pfriem SWIM Center for Cancer Care, Level 3 Medical Oncology Conference Room, adjacent to the Medical Center, 2800 Main Street.

For more information on either program, call the SWIM line at 203-576-6158 or e-mail tmclaugh@stvincent.org.

In other news, St Vincent’s College will host an open house for its degree and certificate programs in health care on Saturday, October 6, from 9 to 11 am.

Each year, almost 4,000 new health-related jobs are created in the state, and the demand for skilled health care professionals continues to grow, according to Dr Joanne Wolfertz, vice president/dean.

Faculty and staff will be on hand to meet with prospective students and their families. The open house schedule includes tours of the college, presentations by faculty in all of the degree and certificate programs, information on financial aid, as well as demonstrations in the college labs.

The college offers associate in science degrees in nursing, medical assisting, general studies and radiography, as well as a wide range of continuing education and certificate programs leading to health care careers.

Information will also be available on the college’s innovative RN to BSN online program for area nurses seeking to upgrade their degrees and a new online BSRS completion program in radiologic sciences.

Dr Wolfertz said the open house is an opportunity to learn about pursuing a degree or a short-term certificate program leading to employment in the health care field.

Free parking will be available in the Hunting Street Garage across the street from the college upon validation of ticket. To reserve a place at the open house or for more information, call St Vincent’s at 800-873-1013, or register online at www.stvincentscollege.edu.