St. Joseph's Hospital Announces April Programs

Looking for a support group? Or maybe you're interested in learning CPR.

St. Joseph's Hospital on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Tampa is offering a variety of support groups and classes for residents.

Among them are:

• Weight Loss Surgery Information Session

If traditional weight loss programs have not worked for you, attend a special information session to learn about surgical weight loss April 2, 6 to 7 p.m., with Dr. David Echevarria at St. Joseph’s Hospital's Medical Arts Building Auditorium. 

• Coping With Motherhood

This support group is designed for women who are having a difficult time adjusting to motherhood. The group provides new moms and moms of a growing family with a mom-friendly place to share and talk about everyday stressors, adjusting to new roles, the challenges of breastfeeding and the emotional roller coaster a mom might be riding. The sessions are open to all postpartum women who delivered up to one year prior. The next session is April 9 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph's Women's Hospital Pavilion fourth-floor classrooms.

• Postpartum Support Group

This support group, which meets April 23 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion fourth-floor classrooms, is for women who may be experiencing postpartum depression or other perinatal mood associated with pregnancy or birth. Attendees can expect education, support, discussion and socializing. Symptoms of postpartum depression may include lack of energy, feelings of shame or guilt, sadness and crying, difficulty concentrating and/or the inability to bond with your baby.

• Weight Loss Surgery Support Group

This support group will meet April 24 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s Hospital, Medical Arts Building Auditorium. The group is available to anyone who is preparing for or has had weight loss surgery, regardless of where the procedure was performed. The group is led by a psychologist, registered dietitian or exercise specialist from the Weight Loss Surgery Program at St. Joseph’s Hospital.

• Tampa Bay Cancer Breast Support Group

This support group, for breast cancer patients, survivors, family members and significant others, will meet April 11 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion fourth-floor classrooms. Guest speakers and topics vary each month. 

• Ovarian and Gynecologic Cancer Support Group

This monthly support group for ovarian and gynecologic cancer patients, survivors and family members will meet April 16 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s Hospital Medical Arts Building Auditorium. Guest speakers will present information on a variety of topics and educational information is provided.

• Breastfeeding Support Group

The breastfeeding support group will meet April 5 from 10 a.m. to noon at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion fourth-floor classrooms. This group lets breastfeeding mothers ask questions and receive support about breastfeeding from other mothers and St. Joseph’s certified breastfeeding consultant staff. This group is free for all breastfeeding mothers and their infants. Bring a diaper bag with all the baby care supplies the baby will need during the session.

• Breastfeeding Consultations

New moms often need lots of help and support during the first days and weeks at home. This is especially true for breastfeeding moms. Bobbi Taman, BSN, RN-CLC, is available by appointment to any mom for outpatient breastfeeding consultations. Her office is located on the first floor of St. Joseph's Women's Hospital. Cost is $40 per hour.

• Breastfeeding 101

This one-session class April 2 from 6 to 9 p.m. and April 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. covers the basics of breastfeeding, milk production and proper positioning and latch-on techniques. Cost is $35. The class will be held in the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion fourth-floor classrooms.

• AAA Car Seat Inspection

Learn how to correctly install by a certified child passenger safety technician April 8 at 1515 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa; April 12 at 14755 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Carrollwood; and April 22 at 20315 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., New Tampa.

Please be sure to bring your car seat, the car seat instructions and your vehicle owner's manual with you. Each car seat and/or vehicle that needs to be checked must have a separate appointment time. The child is not required to be present, but it is helpful. Please allow 30-45 minutes for this appointment.

• Car Seat 101

Studies show that four out of five seats are used incorrectly. Sponsored by St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital and National Safe Kids, a program April 8 at the North Tampa Family Resource Center, 1401 E. Fowler Ave., Tampa, and April 15 at the Town 'N Country Family Resource Center, 7520 Waters Ave., Tampa, will instruct parents on the correct installation of a child’s car seat. 

• Safe Baby Express with CPR

This six-hour safety class covers infant and child CPR (no certification), car seat safety, SIDS, home safety, childproofing, coping skills and more. The class also includes an inspection of one car seat per couple. Cost is $75. Call 813- 443-3078 to register. The class takes place at the St. Joseph’s Hospital Medical Arts Building Auditoriu.

• Cesarean Birth Class

This class April 16 from 6 to 9 p.m. is designed for expectant mothers who know they are having a c-section and do not need to attend a comprehensive prepared childbirth class. The class covers pre-admission testing appointment, the day of surgery, what happens in the operating room and after the baby is born. The instructor also covers pain management, breastfeeding after a c-section and newborn care. A tour of the hospital is included. The fee for this class is $30 per couple. It will be held in the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion fourth-floor classrooms.

• Pediatric First Aid and CPR

Learn more about how to handle common childhood emergencies and prevention of unintentional injuries in this seven-hour informative course April 27 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion fourth-floor classrooms. Topics such as bleeding, shock, burns, poisoning, head and spine injury, bone, joint and muscle injury and CPR are covered in this American Heart Association Pediatric First Aid and CPR course. Registration is required. Cost is $65 Call 813-443-3078 to register.

• Childbirth Refresher

This class on April 30 from 6 to 9 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion fourth-floor classrooms includes a review of labor and delivery, relaxation and breathing techniques along with pain management options. Prior childbirth or a Lamaze course is required for this one-session class. A tour of the facility is included. Bring two pillows and a blanket / throw. Cost is $30. Call 813-443-3078 to register.

• Newborn Care Class

The newborn care class is designed for first-time parents, although experienced moms and dads are welcome, too. Topics presented include normal growth and development, soothing a fretful baby, safe and healthy sleep practices, infant nutrition, infant sleep patterns and infant massage. Other topics may arise based on the interests of the group. Cost is $35. Classes will be held April 9 and April 29 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. in the fourth-floor classrooms in the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion.

• Teen Talk

This two-part class for girls age 10 to 14 will be held April 7 from 1 to 5 p.m. in the fourth-floor classrooms of the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion. Parents and children learn about the physical and emotional changes of puberty during part one. Part two is appropriate for older adolescents and involves a discussion about conception, sexually transmitted disease and the importance of abstinence. Registration is required. Cost is $25. Call 813-443-3078.

• Discount Car Seat Class

This class April 17 from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. in the fourth-floor classrooms of the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion is designed for expectant parents to receive a car seat. In order to receive the discounted car seat, both of the following requirements must be met: the expectant mother must attend the entire class and a vehicle with working seat belts must be available during the class time. There is a limit of one seat per expected child. Participants will be taught how to install the car seat themselves. Cost is $10. Call 813-443-3078 to register.

• Prepared Childbirth

A popular class to help expectant moms and their partners become educated, active participants in the childbirth experience, this class is offered in two-day, two-week and three-week sessions. A hospital tour is included to get better acquainted with the hospital. Cost is $70.

• Hospital Tour

Many expectant parents begin their St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital experience with an orientation program and tour. The tour is designed to introduce the many services available to the entire family and is an opportunity to have your questions answered. Tour will be held April 21, 25, 28 at 2 p.m. 

• Infant and Child CPR

Could you save your child? Learn how to perform lifesaving CPR and choking rescue techniques on both infants and children according to American Heart Association guidelines April 5, 14 and 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. in the fourth-floor classrooms in the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion. Participants must be at least 9 years old. Registration is required. Cost is $30 per person ($55 per couple). Call 813-443-3078.

• Sibling Class

Becoming a big brother or sister can be both exciting and stressful for a child. This class April 28 from 3 to 4:30 p.m. for children age 3 to 5 and April 28 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. for children age 6 to 10 addresses the joys and challenges of this important experience. Both parents are welcome and at least one parent must attend the class with the child, which takes place in the St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital Pavilion fourth-floor classrooms. Cost is $10. Call 813-443-3078 to register.

• Children’s Diabetes Class

St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital hosts a children's diabetes class the third Thursday of each month in St. Joseph Hospital's Healthline Building for both parent and child to understand the basics of diabetes, insulin, medications, symptoms of high and low blood sugar, complications of diabetes and more. Individual appointments are available, as well as dietitian appointments for a wide variety of pediatric needs. Class registration requires a doctor’s prescription and insurance information. Cost is $150. Insurance is accepted. Call 813-443-3078 to register.

• Healthy Heart Center

Screenings are offered for both men and women, and include customized educational materials in a convenient, comfortable and private environment. A prescription or a physician referral is not required for screening services. Prices vary and gift certificates are available. Call 813-443-3078.

• Diabetes Self-Management Program

Recognized by the American Diabetes Association, St. Joseph’s Hospital Diabetes Self-Management Program offers courses to help you learn about this disease and provides the tools to manage it. Classes are taught by certified diabetes educators and include registered nurses and a registered dietitian. Daytime and evening classes, and free day or evening support groups, are available. Also offered are individual consultation appointments. Classes for children/families also are available. Call 813-443-3078.

• Comprehensive Diabetes Class

Day or evening courses provide an overview of diabetes, nutrition therapy, carbohydrate counting, label reading and weight management, acute and chronic complications, medications, stress management, blood glucose monitoring and more. A physician’s prescription, recent lab work and insurance authorization (in some cases) are required for registration. Call 813-443-3078 for more information.

• Diabetes Support Group

The free Diabetes Management support group topics vary for each session. Registration is required. Call 813-443-3078.

• Gestational Diabetes Class

This class is taught by a registered dietitian and nurse and is designed to promote the health of mother and baby. Advance registration, a physician’s prescription and insurance authorization (in some cases) are required. Cost $262.42. Call 813-443-3078 to register.

• Cholesterol Screening

Cholesterol screenings are offered by appointment at the St. Joseph’s Hospital Medical Arts Building. Cost is $30. Call 813-443-3078.

• CPR: Adult Heart Saver

This safety course April 9 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s Hospital Medical Arts Building teaches CPR and relief of foreign-body airway obstruction for victims 8 years of age and older, use of AED (automated external defibrillator), and is especially helpful to those who respond to emergencies in the workplace, although the course is designed for people without medical backgrounds. A course completion card (for two years) is included.

• CPR: Basic Life Support

This course on April 18 from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s Hospital Medical Arts Building Auditorium is designed for health-care workers and teaches CPR techniques for victims of all ages. Topics include infant/child and adult CPR, use of Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and relief of foreign body airway obstruction. The participant will receive a certification card from the American Heart Association good for two years. Participants should wear comfortable clothes and be able to move from the ground to a seated position for mannequin practice. Cost is $40. Call 813-443-3078 to register.

• Healing Touch

Experiential workshops introduce participants to the concepts of Healing Touch, a complementary biofield therapy that creates an optimum environment for self-healing through contact and non-contact touch. Participants learn simple techniques that can be incorporated into their daily lives to help with pain, relaxation and promotion of wellness. Call 813-443-3078 for information about appointments and training session rates.

• Cancer Exercise Program

This free class April 2 and 16 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. incorporates low-impact cardiovascular training, strength, balance, coordination and flexibility exercises for all levels of fitness in a safe environment under the supervision of a certified cancer exercise trainer. The program is designed for cancer survivors and/or their family, however, anyone with a chronic illness may participate. It is held in the St. Joseph’s Hospital, Medical Arts Building Auditorium.

• Look Good…Feel Better

This free American Cancer Society support program for women before, during and after cancer treatment teaches beauty techniques to help reduce the appearance-related side effects of treatment. It will be held April 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. and April 17 from 10 a.m. to noon in the St. Joseph’s Hospital, Cancer Institute, first-floor conference room. Call the American Cancer Society at 800-227-9954 to RSVP. Makeup is ordered specifically for each participant based on skin type/color.

• Restorative Yoga Cancer Program

Yoga incorporates stress reduction techniques including regulated breathing, visual imagery, meditation and various stretching postures to help improve strength, flexibility and balance. This stress reduction program April 4 and 11 from 1 to 2 p.m. in the St. Joseph’s Hospital Medical Arts Building Auditorium is tailored to the treatment of cancer may help patients cope with the acute effects of treatment of cancer and improve quality of life during and after treatment.

• Your Health and the Arts

Learn how you can overcome challenges, decrease stress and improve relaxation for better health in a fun atmosphere with different forms of art (sand, music, movement, paint and more). All materials are provided for free. Anyone with a chronic illness or diagnosis other than cancer may attend.

Call 813-443-3078 to register for any of these programs.