Fairview Hospital Announces Healthy Summer Programs for Community
GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Fairview Hospital will offer many free health education and outreach programs to the community this summer to raise health engagement for all age groups.
The Wednesday Wellness Program is a series of three education programs on specific topics that address important health issues and access to health information. These lectures are offered at 5 p.m. in Fairview’s Conference Room and refreshments will be served. There is no charge to attend. Pre-registration is requested by calling 413-854-9609.
“Navigating the Cancer Journey – Together” will launch the series with an overview of the programs, services and professionals in the Berkshires that are dedicated to treating cancer patients and their families on Wednesday, July 30. Berkshire Health Systems recently opened a state-e of the art cancer center, and welcomed a new oncologist, Dr. Trevor Bayliss, to the Cancer Institute of the Berkshires, located at the Hillcrest Hospital Campus of Berkshire Medical Center. The speakers, Sue Duncan, CRNI, administrative director of the Cancer Institute and care navigation manager Kathy Hart, RN, NSN, OCN, BHS, will discuss the range of services, programs and professional specialties and how they are accessed by Berkshire residents and visitors.
The second program “Boomer Alert: Understanding the A-B-Cs of Medicare,” on Wednesday, Aug. 6, will be presented by Elder Services of the Berkshires SHINE Program. The program will provide a framework of the Medicare program and benefits as well as information for those with specific situations and conditions. The meeting will offer guidelines that will be understandable to individuals who are reaching Medicare-eligible age in the coming years.
The final program “Stroke Assessment and Care Update” will be presented by American Board-certified Neurologist Marina Zaretskaya-Fuchs, MD, on Wednesday, Aug. 20. Dr. Zaretskaya will discuss how stroke is diagnosed and treated and the latest techniques available. Both Fairview Hospital and Berkshire Medical Center are designated by the state Department of Public Health as Primary Stroke Centers, which means they meet rigorous standards of stroke diagnosis and care and are approved to administer t-PA to eligible patients. In addition to inpatient care, both facilities have comprehensive rehabilitation services designed to help stroke victims recover to their greatest potential.
For children and their families, The Great Barrington Bike Treasure Hunt , a fun and easy one mile recreational bike loop with “treasures of a healthy summer” along the route, will take place on Sunday, July 20, at 1 p.m., beginning at the James Dohoney Southern Berkshire Courthouse on Gilmore Avenue in Great Barrington. Berkshire Bike and Board will offer a free bike safety check by bike specialists. From Berkshire Bike and Board Free bike helmets, donated by Health New England and the Fairview Hospital Auxiliary, will be available to children who will be fitted for helmets to promote safety. Community Health Programs, Boston Medical Center, the Southern Berkshire Volunteer Ambulance Squad, MACONY Pediatrics and the staff of Operation Better Start at Fairview will be available for information. There will be raffle prizes from area recreation facilities for kids who participate.
Fairview Hospital will also be attending the WSBS Sounds of Summer Concert Series on Tuesday nights, beginning Tuesday, July 8th. Each week the hospital will have a health team available to address an important health issues including Medication Safety, CPR, Lyme Disease and other common health issues. Free blood pressure screenings will be offered at all concerts with the opportunity to win prizes in a raffle for those who have their blood pressure taken.
For more information, contact Fairview’s Community Relations Office at (413) 854-9609.
