Chattanooga area health briefs

Diabetes

Diabetes event, 9 a.m.-noon, Thursday, May 3, at the Hixson Walmart on Highway 153. In addition to educational materials, you may qualify to receive a OneTouch UltraMini meter at no charge. A LifeScan rep will help with any questions about self monitoring.

Birth and Baby Fair

The Local Birth & Baby Fair, sponsored by Chattanooga Mama, a local nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate expectant families and the community about choices in childbirth, will be held Saturday, May 5, at the Brainerd Crossroads BX. More than 35 vendors will participate in the free event. For information, visit www.chattanoogamama.org or call Carolyn Drake at 622-4226.

Mammograms

Memorial's Mobile Mammography Unit will be at Lone Oak Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursday, May 10. All women should have one screening mammogram between the ages of 35 and 40. Every woman should have a yearly mammogram after age 40. For an appointment, call 495-4040 or, toll free, 866-591-2254.

Lyme disease film

In conjunction with May as National Lyme Disease Awareness Month, the Collegedale Public Library will host a community screening of the documentary film "Under Our Skin" to raise awareness about Lyme disease, a controversial and fast-growing epidemic. The free event is Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Collegedale City Hall, West Room, 4910 Swinyar Drive, next to the library. For information, call 396-9300.

Gluten meeting

The Gluten Free group meets Sunday at 6 p.m. in Wesley Hall of Tyner United Methodist Church, 6508 Standifer Gap Road. Guest speaker is Jerry Wiedenbenner, owner of the Nutrition Shoppe in Fort Oglethorpe, who recommends natural health therapies. For information, call Buddy Nichols at 892-0444, ext. 26.

Pelvic pain seminar

Parkridge East Hospital is hosting a free pelvic pain seminar on endometriosis, one of the most common causes of pelvic pain, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., May 8, in Parkridge's birthplace classroom. Presentation by Dr. Del Ashcraft followed by question-and-answer session. Light refreshments. Reservations required. Call MedLine at 800-242-5662.

Weight-loss surgery

The Gastric Band Institute will hold a free seminar on gastric banding (Lap-Band and Realize Band) and the new sleeve procedure for people 75 pounds overweight, Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., at the Gastric Band Institute, 7405 Shallowford Road. Call 423-899-1000 for reservations. Free insurance verification.

Stop Stroke Saturday

Learn risk factors, signs and symptoms of a stroke, and lifestyle changes you need to prevent becoming one of the statistics, at the free Stop Stroke Saturday, May 5, 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m., at Chattanooga State Community Health Institute. Dr. Thomas Devlin, local neurologist and medical director of the Southeast Regional Stroke Center at Erlanger, will be the moderator. Registration is required. Call 778-5465.

Faith nursing classes

Memorial Health Care System will hold classes for registered nurses who want to participate in the summer/fall 2012 Faith Community/Parish Nursing program, which begins mid-August. The 33-hour class includes three eight-hour sessions plus three three-hour sessions over the course of two months. All six classes must be completed to fulfill course and contact hours requirements. Applicants must be registered nurses who wish to bring whole-person health and wellness to their faith community. Contact Connie Blake, FCN coordinator, at 495-6163 or e-mail connie_blake@memorial.org for an application and tuition information.

Items for this column are due the Friday before Thursday's publication date. Write to Linda Weaver, P.O. Box 1447, Chattanooga, TN 37401-1447; fax 668-5071; e-mail lweaver@timesfreepress.com.

Upcoming Events