Great Barrington — Fairview Hospital will present “Destination Better Health 2025,” a series of health seminars offered to the community by local medical providers that are designed to educate and empower the community. All programs are free and take place in the Ground Floor Conference Room at Fairview Hospital, 29 Lewis Avenue, Great Barrington.
This schedule includes:
Wednesday, May 28 — “Adjusting in the First Year After Giving Birth” will be offered by Sandra Vosburgh, RN, C-EFM, a nurse in Fairview Hospital’s Family Birthplace, who will discuss how perinatal adjustment can be a roller coaster of emotion, anxiety, and depression, which are not uncommon after pregnancy and childbirth. The symptoms can range from mild to severe. In rare cases, the symptoms are severe enough that a mother and her baby’s health and well-being may be at risk. Perinatal depression and anxiety can be treated. Learn about the signs and symptoms, risk factors, treatments, and ways you or a loved one can get help.
Wednesday, June 4 — “A Historical Look at Exercise and Health Outcomes” will be offered by Richard Butler, MS, RSPA, of the BHS Wellness at Work team. From ice fishing to Nordic Trak, Minnesota has played a critical role in how we view exercise. Kinesiologist Richard Butler will discuss how we went from bedrest to 10,000 steps and why Sunday no longer needs to be a day of rest.
Wednesday, June 11 — “Living Well with a Heart Condition” will be presented by Ellen Brady, BSN, MS E., RN, CCRP, who works in Fairview Hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation Department. She will share how living with heart disease may cause fear, anxiety, depression, and stress, but it is possible to live well with a heart condition, including heart failure. With proper treatment, lifestyle changes, and management, many individuals can live full and active lives. Join a cardiac nurse who will share how to live well when you have heart disease.
Wednesday, June 18 — In “Blood Pressure 101: Know YOUR Numbers,” Berkshire Health System’s Wellness at Work Clinical Wellness Nurse Denise Jester, BSN, RN, CHWC, will explain this number, what it means, and why it is so important. Free blood pressure screenings will take place before and after the meeting. Your blood pressure is a key indicator that medical professionals look to for vital information about your health. This is your opportunity to understand it.
Wednesday, June 25 — “Living with Atrial Fibrillation” will be presented by Sophia Veinoglou, NP, of Fairview Hospital’s Cardiology Department. Hearing that you have atrial fibrillation can be scary, but it is a common condition that is rarely life-threatening. In this program, you will learn how to manage atrial fibrillation so that you can stay healthy and active.
Wednesday, July 9 — “Arthritis and Inflammation” will be offered by orthopaedic specialist Pier Boutin, MD, of Fairview Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Center at East Mountain Medical Center in Great Barrington. Dr. Boutin will discuss the relationship between arthritis and inflammation, the types of arthritis, prevention, treatment, and options to address the pain.
Wednesday, July 16 — “Adjusting Our Diet and Eating Habits as We Age” will be presented by Fairview Hospital nutritionists Sheila Rivera RD, LDN, and Robert Hoechster RD, LDN, who will discuss how, as we get older, we make sure we have the nutrients we need and avoid deficiencies that are common with aging.
Wednesday, July 30 — In “Preventive Strategies for Back and Neck Health,” Fairview Hospital Outpatient Rehabilitation Center’s physical therapists Amanda Rheaume PT, DPT, and Anna Benson, PT, MSPT, OCS, MDT, will present strategies to prevent back and neck pain through an understanding of common causes of back and neck pain as well as self-management tips. Attendees will leave the program with a better understanding of spinal anatomy, proper ergonomics, common postural stresses, and tools to help with prevention.
The programs are free. Pre-registration is available Berkshire Health Systems’ website or by calling Fairview Hospital’s Community Relations Office at (413) 854-9609.
