A Free Diabetes Education Class Series will be held at St. Margaret’s Hospital beginning on Monday, Mar. 1 from 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in the First Floor Presentation Room.  The class will continue on the following three consecutive Mondays. 

The class will cover an overview of diabetes, complications and monitoring, nutrition and diet, medications, stress management and social assistance, exercise and activity, and foot, skin and oral care.  Participants will also receive a free glucometer. 

The class is coordinated by Pat Schummer, RN, Patient Education Nurse and Certified Diabetic Educator at St. Margaret’s Hospital. 

To register, call St. Margaret’s Patient Education at (815) 664-1616 or 223-5346, ext. 1616.

St. Margaret’s Offers Free Prenatal Classes

St. Margaret’s Prenatal/Lamaze classes for expectant mothers, called “1-2-3-4 What To Expect From Labor/Delivery and More,” will begin Monday, Mar. 1 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the First Floor Presentation Room at St. Margaret’s Hospital.

The four-week series of classes will consist of lectures on all aspects of pregnancy, including: stages of labor and delivery, techniques for pain relief, caesarian sections, medical interventions, Lamaze breathing techniques, conditioning and relaxation exercises, newborn care, breast and bottle-feeding and infant CPR.  Films on childbirth, car seat safety, infant care and infant safety are shown, and a tour of St. Margaret’s Family Birthing Centre is provided.

Participants are asked to bring a blanket, two pillows, and a labor coach (support person).  Expectant fathers are welcome and encouraged to attend.

There is no charge for the classes.  To register, call St. Margaret’s Family Birthing Centre at (815) 664-1345 or (815) 223-5346, ext. 1345.

Spirituality and Prayer Group Held at St. Margaret’s

A discussion group for anyone interested in learning about contemplative prayer and spiritual growth will be Saturday, Mar. 13 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. in the 1st floor Presentation Room at St. Margaret’s Hospital.

The group will meet once a month and is open to all faith traditions. It does not matter if you are attempting to initiate a spiritual life, recover a neglected one, or deepen an already developed spirituality. Selected passages from ancient and contemporary writers will be used to explore various aspects of a growing prayer life. For more information about the program, please contact Jeri at St. Margaret’s Pastoral Care Department at (815) 664-1348.

Rebound Meeting

The Breast Cancer Support Group, “Rebound,” of St. Margaret’s Hospital, will meet Monday, Mar. 15, at 7 p.m. in the Hospital’s First Floor Presentation Room.  The meeting is open to all persons affected by breast cancer.  Interested parties may call (815) 339-6480 for details.  The group meets regularly at St. Margaret’s the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m.

“Turning Point” Support Group Meets

“Turning Point,” a support group for persons HIV positive or with AIDS, will meet on Wednesday, Mar. 17, at 6 p.m.  The location is not disclosed for confidentiality purposes.  For more information, call St. Margaret’s Patient Support Services at (815) 664-1613 or (815) 223-5346, ext. 613. “Turning Point” meets regularly on the third Wednesday of each month.

Visions Support Group Schedules Meeting

“Visions,” a support group for the blind and visually impaired, will meet from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 18, in St. Margaret’s First Floor Presentation Room.

“Visions” meets regularly on the first and third Thursday of each month from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m.  For more information, call (815) 664-1613 or (815) 223- 5346, ext. 1613.

St. Margaret’s Auxiliary Holds Jewelry Fair

St. Margaret’s Hospital Auxiliary will sponsor a Jewelry Fair in the Lower Lobby of the hospital on Monday, March 22, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesday, March 23 from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.  A large selection of watches, rings, chains, earrings, bracelets, wallets, key chains, charms, and so much more will be displayed and sold by Masquerade.  All of this unprecedented quality and style for only $5 each item.  Everyone is welcome!  Major credit cards will be accepted.  Fund-raisers such as this Jewelry Fair help to sponsor scholarships and to purchase equipment for the hospital. For further information, contact the Volunteer Services Office at 815-664-1130 or 815-223-5346 Ext. 130.

St. Margaret’s Hospital Hosts Bloodmobile for Red Cross Month

Across the country, the American Red Cross is reminding communities that March is Red Cross Month, a time to commemorate Red Cross involvement.  March was initially declared Red Cross Month in 1943, when President Roosevelt issued the first proclamation to remind the American public that the Red Cross is committed to providing blood and blood products, disaster assistance and emergency social services across America and worldwide.

More than 38,000 blood donations are needed daily, and while approximately 38 percent of the U.S population is eligible to give blood, only about 8 percent of those eligible actually do donate.  Let March serve as a reminder that blood donation can make a vital difference in someone’s life.  St. Margaret’s is hosting a Red Cross Bloodmobile on Tuesday, Mar. 23, 2010 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  The Bloodmobile will be held in the First Floor Presentation Room. 

To be a blood donor, one must be in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old.  A Red Cross staff member will ask you up to 50 questions to improve the safety and quality of the blood supply.  Bloodmobiles are scheduled approximately eight weeks apart – the recommended time span between individual donations.  Please also remember your donor card or photo ID.  Walk-ins are welcome, or make an appointment by calling St. Margaret’s Volunteer Services at (815) 664-1130 or (815) 223-5346 extension 130.

St. Margaret’s Medication Review Service

St. Margaret’s Hospital will be holding a FREE Medication Review service on Tuesday, Mar. 23, from 11:00 a.m. to noon in the hospital’s first floor DeAngelo Resource Room (rooms 104 and 105).  Participants are asked to bring in their prescriptions and over-the-counter medications.  Pharmacists will be available to discuss medications and potential reactions.  This service will continue to be offered on the fourth Tuesday of the month.  Please set up an appointment with the pharmacists by calling St. Margaret’s Hospital Occupational Health Department, at 815-664-1613 or 815-223-5346, ext. 1613.

Mom’s Special Helper Sibling Class To Be Held At St. Margaret’s

St. Margaret’s will hold a Mom’s Special Helper Sibling Class for soon-to-be big brothers and sisters on Saturday, March 27 at 10 a.m. in room 309 on the third floor of the Hospital.  The class will be conducted through the use of a video, demonstrations, and storybook readings.  A tour of the Family Birthing Centre will be provided, and participants will receive refreshments, certificates, a gift bag and souvenir handouts.  Parents are encouraged to sign up their 3-10 year olds for this free class.  To register, call St. Margaret’s Family Birthing Centre at (815) 664-1345 or (815) 223-5346, ext. 345.