FTMC calendar items

Exercise classes for seniors

FTMC's Seniors Stay Strong and Seniors Keep Moving programs have changed for 2007. Both classes are now offered as mix-and-match sessions and are on a drop-in basis. Attend 12 sessions of Seniors Keep Moving and/or Seniors Stay Strong for $27.50, PrimeCare Advantage discount for $25. To sign up, join a free trial class.

Seniors Stay Strong takes place at 8 a.m. Mondays and Wednesdays at the Ernsthausen Recreation Center. This class is designed to tone and strengthen muscles.

Seniors Keep Moving takes place Tuesdays at the Ernsthausen Recreation Center and Thursdays at Carriage House, with both sessions starting at 9 a.m. This fitness class targets balance, endurance, strength and flexibility for seniors.

For more information on either program, call the hospital at (419) 663-1975, ext. 6440.

CPR re-certification

Fisher-Titus Medical Center will offer Healthcare Provider CPR re-certification training from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Friday at the hospital, 272 Benedict Ave., Norwalk. The cost is $15.

To register or for more information, call FTMC at (419) 660-2646.

Blood pressure screenings

Fisher-Titus Medical Center nurses will offer blood pressure screenings to the public in January at various locations throughout local communities.

Times and locations include:

From 10 a.m. to noon Friday at Milan Public Library, 19 E. Church St., Milan

From 4 to 7 p.m. Jan.17 at Gardner's SuperValu, 117 Whittlesey Ave., Norwalk

From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 18 at Schild's IGA, 171 Milan Ave., Norwalk

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 25 at Apples, 205 Milan Ave., Norwalk

From 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (closed noon to 1 p.m.) Monday to Friday at Fisher-Titus Specialty Services, 111 E. Main St., New London.

Advanced cardiac life support

Fisher-Titus Medical Center is offering an Advanced Cardiac Life Support course for healthcare professionals at the hospital, 272 Benedict Ave., Norwalk. Participants must have a current CPR card.

The precourse takes place from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 18. The Provider Course takes place from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 25. To register or for more information, call FTMC at (419) 660-2509.

Ready Group

FTMC's Pediatric Therapy Department will offer the Ready Group, a program to help children, ages 7 to 12, develop attention, self-control and coping skills. The group will meet from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, Jan 20 to Feb. 17 in the Pediatric Therapy Department, located in FTMC's Rehabilitation Center.

The fee is $160 per child. Registration is required. For more information or to register, call (419) 663-1975, ext. 3040.

CPR course

WILLARD Mercy Hospital of Willard's Education Department will be offering the American Heart Association's (AHA) Healthcare Provider CPR course Jan. 18. The course will be from 5 to 9:30 p.m. at the conference room at Mercy Hospital of Willard.

The Healthcare Provider Course is designed to teach the skills of CPR for victims of all ages, including ventilation with a barrier device and a bag-mask device, use of an automatic external defibrillator (AED) and relief of foreign body airway obstruction.

This course is intended for participants who provide health care to patients in a wide variety of settings including in-hospital and out-of-hospital. Participants may include physicians, nurses, paramedics, EMTs, respiratory therapists, dental hygienists, physical and occupational therapists, and other allied health personnel. Students in these professions are invited as well.

Upon completion of a written test and required demonstration of skills, classroom participants will receive a card from the AHA that is valid for two years. The fee for the course is $40. Register by contacting Mercy Hospital of Willard's Education Department at (419) 964-5350.

Blood drive

Fisher-Titus Medical Center, 272 Benedict Avenue, Norwalk, will host an American Red Cross Blood Drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 19 at the hospital auditorium. Donors are required to bring a list of medications they are currently taking and an I.D.

Positive Peer Connections

Does your child have difficulty interacting with others? Try FTMC's Positive Peer Connections a therapeutic social skills group for children in grades 4-7 who have autism or difficulty interacting with others.

The program will be held from 4:30 to 5:45 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 22 to Feb. 19 in the FTMC Pediatric Therapy Department, 272 Benedict Ave, Norwalk.

Led by a speech therapist, the group will be goal oriented and focus on the skills needed to be successful in a social environment.

There is a fee associated with this program. To register call (419) 663-1975, ext. 3040.

Helmets for Kids program

Does your child need a new bicycle helmet? Fisher-Titus Specialty Services, 111 E. Main St., New London, will properly fit children for helmets from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday (closed for lunch from noon to 1 p.m.).

Children must be present to ensure proper fit. A $2 donation per helmet is requested. The helmets used by FTMC comply with the safety standards of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and come in four sizes and a variety of colors. For more information, call (419) 929-1027.

Heart health benefit slated

WILLARD Coronary heart disease is America's No. 1 killer, according to the American Heart Association. Stroke is No. 3 and a leading cause of serious disability.

That's why it's so important to reduce your risk factors, know the warning signs, and know how to respond quickly and properly if warning signs occur.

The Huron County Heart Health Coalition's mission is to educate people on heart healthy lifestyles. To further benefit Huron County and heart health education, the coalition will present "Go Red for Women" benefit luncheon, fashion show and auction beginning at 11 a.m. Jan. 27 at the new St. Paul Parish Center in Norwalk .

The keynote speaker is David Vanata, PhD presenting "Living on Wine and Chocolate." The keynote speaker will be followed by a fashion show and silent auction featuring donated red attire and other items.

Tickets are $50 each with checks payable to Fisher-Titus Foundation, 272 Benedict Ave. Norwalk, Ohio 44857. Net proceeds from the event will benefit the 2006 American Cancer Society Relay for Life, 2006 American Heart Association Heart Walk, Fisher-Titus Medical Center Cardiac Rehab and Mercy Hospital of Willard Cardiac Rehab.

For more information contact Marsha Danhoff of Mercy Hospital of Willard at (419) 964-5107 or Michele Skinn of the Fisher-Titus Foundation at (419) 660-2528.