Health events, Aug. 27
Quit smoking class
Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center and the Florida Department of Health offer free tobacco cessation programs to anyone interested in kicking the tobacco habit. This is a two-hour program that helps participants plan their quitting process, establish goals and learn strategies that will help them succeed. Four weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy (patches, gum or lozenges) is also available through this program. The program is available on the following days: From 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the Crescent Community Clinic, 5244 Commercial Way, Spring Hill; from noon to 2 p.m. Friday at the Enrichment Center at Brooksville Regional Hospital, 17222 Hospital Blvd., Brooksville; and from 1 to 3 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Florida Department of Health, 7551 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Call (813) 929-1000 to register.
Cancer screening seminar
Oak Hill Hospital, in conjunction with the YMCA of the Suncoast, will host a seminar titled “Screening Measures to Help Detect Cancers” at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday at the YMCA, 1300 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill. The program will be presented by Dr. Shilen Patel of Florida Cancer Affiliates. Admission is free and a complimentary lunch will be served. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For information, call (352) 597-6333.
Paper donations
The Crescent Community Clinic is asking for donations of old newspapers and clean paper to be deposited in the green and red recycle bin located at the northeast corner of Jericho Road Thrift Store in Winchester Plaza, 5244 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Proceeds from the recycled paper helps to fund the operating expenses of the clinic. Everyone at the clinic is a volunteer, which allows operating expenses to be kept to the bare minimum.
Cancer support group
The Cancer Support Group at Oak Hill Hospital will meet at 5 p.m. Thursday at the H2U Partner’s Club, 11375 Cortez Blvd., Spring Hill. There will be a special guest speaker who will speak about her journey through cancer and how it led her to a complimentary weeklong vacation with the Little Pink Houses of Hope in North Carolina, a nonprofit group focused on promoting breast cancer recovery by offering opportunities for survivors to reconnect and celebrate life. Complimentary refreshments are served and admission is always free. For information, call (352) 597-6095.
CPR/AED classes
The Brooksville Enrichment Center will sponsor CPR/AED classes at 6 p.m. on Sept. 5 and Sept. 19 in Room 120 in the Medical Arts Building at Brooksville Regional Hospital. These classes are designed for the professional health care provider and meet the guidelines of the American Heart Association. Non-health care professionals are welcome to attend. Part of these proceeds are donated to the Enrichment Center. The cost is $20. To reserve a seat, call Bob Kanner at (352) 597-8875.
Da Vinci surgery seminar
The next “For Your Health” seminar sponsored by Oak Hill Hospital will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Palace Grand, 275 Della Court, Spring Hill. The seminar will feature Dr. Steven Visnaw, who will speak on advanced minimally invasive and single-site robotic surgery. The presentation will also focus on the benefits patients experience, such as a low rate of major complications, minimal pain, virtually scarless results and, most importantly, a short hospital stay using the da Vinci Surgical System. Admission is free and a complimentary hot meal will be served. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For information and to register, call (352) 597-6333 or register online at OakHillHospital.com/For YourHealth.
Women’s care seminar
HOMOSASSA – A “For Your Health” community education seminar titled “Comprehensive Care of Women of All ages” will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 25 at the First United Methodist Church, 8831 W. Bradshaw St., Homosassa. This will be a panel discussion featuring Dr. Alene Wright and Dr. Marc Polecritti. Wright, on staff at Oak Hill Hospital, will discuss the gene test for breast and ovarian cancer. Polecritti, also on staff at Oak Hill Hospital, will offer reconstructive surgical options for breast cancer patients. Admission is free and a complimentary hot meal will be served. Seating is limited and reservations are required. For more information and to register, call (352) 597-6333 or register online at OakHillHospital.com/ ForYourHealth.
Outreach program
SPRING HILL – The GFWC Spring Hill Service League, in conjunction with the Hernando Mental Health Alliance, will host a community outreach awareness program titled “Faith in Action” from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 26 at the First United Methodist Church, 9355 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill. Participants will have an opportunity to introduce their social programs, learn about available community resources and interact with community advocates. Guest speakers include Diane Rowden, county commissioner; the Rev. Anthony Caruana, pastor at FUMC Outreach Ministries; and Barbara Sweinberg, director of Crescent Community Clinic. Lunch will be served. Space is limited; call (352) 650-9006 by Sept. 20 to RSVP.
Hep C support group
BROOKSVILLE/SPRING HILL – A hepatitis C support group for veterans is forming. Contact Art Fryer at (352) 503-2569.
Comfort caregivers
SPRING HILL – HPH Hospice offers a Comfort for Caregivers support group for those caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, with a safe retreat with other caregivers in a relaxed and confidential setting. The group meets the first Thursday of the month at 11 a.m. to noon, located at 8055 Forest Oaks Blvd., Spring Hill. Free to attend and open to the public. Call (352) 597-1882.
Visitor program
The Hernando County Ostomy Association offers a visitor program for new ostomy patients who need counseling and support. Call Ellen Boldt at (352) 597-5426 or Linda Ravenhorst at (352) 686-1956.
Prostate cancer group
BROOKSVILLE – Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope holds its “Man to Man” prostate cancer support group 6-7 p.m. the first Monday of every month at its Brooksville Center, 7154 Medical Center Drive, off Kadri Boulevard, across from the High Point community. Topics frequently discussed are: importance of early detection, signs and symptoms, prognosis, disease stages, incontinence, impotence, treatment options including hormone therapy and medications, and especially the latest research and treatment modalities. Speakers will include physicians, nurses, dietitians, pharmacists and social workers. The support group is co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society. Call Mary Capo at (352) 596-1926.
Caregiver support
SPRING HILL – Florida Cancer Institute-New Hope holds its Caregiver Support Group meeting 4:30-5:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of every month at its Spring Hill Center, 10441 Quality Drive, Suite 203, Medical Arts Building, next to Spring Hill Regional Hospital. Call Pamela McGee, support group facilitator, at (352) 688-7744.
AFO support
BROOKSVILLE – Alzheimer’s Family Organization offers support group meetings at 1 p.m. every Monday at the Brooksville Regional Hospital, Medical Arts Building Enrichment Center, Suite 120, 17222 Hospital Blvd.; 1 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month at the Hernando County Mining Association, Enrichment Center, 800 John Gary Grubbs Blvd.; or 1 p.m. every second Wednesday of the month at Spring Hill Regional Hospital, Medical Arts Building, Suite 105, 10441 Quality Drive, in Spring Hill. For more information, call John at (352) 232-0081 for Brooksville locations or Pam at (352) 688-1262 for Spring Hill. To volunteer, call (727) 848-8888 or toll free at (888) 496-8004. The DFLA is a program of the Volunteer USA Foundation. Go to www.volunteer usafoundation.org.
Health news releases to be published in Health Events listing should be received 10 days in advance and will not be published without complete information, such as the time, date and physical address of the location of the meeting or event. Also, an information telephone number for the public and the name and telephone number of a contact person must be included. Email news releases to Michael Terry at mterry@hernando today.com, fax to (813) 579-9246 or mail to Hernando Today, 15299 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville FL 34613.
