The following information was released by Bridgeport Hospital on its screenings, support groups, lectures and other offerings. It is reprinted here as it was received.

ONE-DAY CANCER COLLEGE – Bridgeport Hospital’s Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute will present its third annual One-Day Cancer College, Saturday, Sept. 25, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m., at the Trumbull Marriott, 180 Hawley Lane. The free event will feature mini-lectures by Bridgeport Hospital physicians and other healthcare experts on a number of cancer topics, information tables and a talk by cancer survivor, motivational speaker and Mt. Everest climber Alan Hobson. Advance registration is required. Call 1-888-357-2396.

PROJECT HEART SMART – The Heart Institute at Bridgeport Hospital will offer Project Heart Smart, an eight-week series of classes to reduce heart disease risk, Tuesdays, Sept. 21–Nov. 9, 5:00–8:00 p.m., at Bridgeport Hospital Cardiac Rehabilitation & Wellness Programs, Brick Walk Professional Building, 1305 Post Rd., Fairfield. The cost is $250 ($200 for the second person in the same party). For information or to register, call 1-888-357-2396.

QUIT SMART SMOKING CESSATION – Bridgeport Hospital will offer the Quit Smart smoking cessation program on Tuesdays, Oct. 5, 19, 26 and Nov. 2, 6:00–7:30 p.m., in the hospital’s duPont Board Room, 267 Grant St. The cost is $75. To register, call 1-888-357-2396.

STROKE SUPPORT GROUP – Bridgeport Hospital’s Ahlbin Rehabilitation Centers will host a free Stroke Support Group meeting for recovering stroke patients and their caregivers Tuesday, Oct. 5, 6:00–7:00 p.m., at its Shelton outreach site, 4 Corporate Drive. For information or to register, call 203-925-4201.

FREE LECTURE ON ACID REFLUX – A panel of Bridgeport Hospital physicians will discuss the causes and treatment of gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD) during the free lecture, “Burping & Bloating, Gas & GERD: They Can Be Treated!” Wednesday, Oct. 27, 7:00 p.m., at the Trumbull Marriott, 180 Hawley Lane. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Speakers include Chairman of Surgery Nabil Atweh, MD, and gastroenterologists Andrew Bedford, MD, and Richard Link, MD. Registration is required. Call 1-888-357-2396.

BLOOD PRESSURE SCREENINGS – Bridgeport Hospital will offer free blood pressure screenings at the following locations and times. For information, call 1-888-357-2396.
· Fairfield Senior Center, 100 Mona Terrace, Mondays, Oct. 4 and 18, 9:30–11:30 a.m.
· Stratford Baldwin Center, 1000 West Broad St., Tuesday, Oct. 12, 9:30–11:30 a.m.
· Shelton Senior Center, 81 Wheeler St., Monday, Oct. 25, noon–2:00 p.m.

HELP FOR NEW MOVERS – Bridgeport Hospital’s free Newcomer Concierge Service helps new residents of Bridgeport and surrounding towns locate physicians to meet their personal and family health needs. The service also provides information on health-related events and activities. To reach the Newcomer Concierge Service, call 203-330-7462 Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays or Fridays, 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

SENIOR DRIVING COURSE – AARP’s Senior Driver Safety Program will be offered Saturdays, Oct. 9 and 16, 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., in the first-floor duPont Board Room at Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St. The fee is $12 for AARP members and $14 for non-members which cover handouts and instructional materials. To register, call 1-888-357-2396. Classes are taught by trained AARP instructors. Successful completion may entitle seniors to a discount on automobile insurance premiums.

INFORMATION AND SUPPORT FOR HEART PATIENTS – Heart Beats Inc. will sponsor a Sharing & Caring support group meeting, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 5:30–7:00 p.m., in the first-floor duPont Board Room at Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant St. The meeting is open to anyone who has experienced heart disease. Parking is free and no reservations are required. For information, call 1-888-357-2396.

FITNESS CLASSES – Bridgeport Hospital’s Ahlbin Rehabilitation Centers offers fitness classes throughout the year at its Shelton site, 4 Corporate Drive. Classes include Shoulder Conditioning for the Overhead Athlete, Low Back Reconditioning, Special Populations Fitness/Wellness, Women’s Strength Training, Golf Fitness and Personal Training. For information about times and costs, call 203-925-4201.

MOVING FORWARD – Bridgeport Hospital’s Norma F. Pfriem Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society will sponsor a meeting in the free Moving Forward support and educational series for cancer survivors, Wednesday, Oct. 20, 5:00–7:30 p.m., at 5520 Park Ave., Trumbull. A light supper will be served. Registration is required. Call 203-563-1523.

OSTOMY SUPPORT – Bridgeport Hospital will sponsor a free meeting of the United Ostomy Chapter on Sunday, Oct. 17, 1:30 p.m., at Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut, 40 Lindeman Drive, Trumbull. The meeting is open to anyone who has had an ostomy operation, such as a colostomy, urostomy or ileostomy. To register, call 1-888-357-2396.

BETTER BREATHING CLUB – The Better Breathing Club will meet Friday, Oct. 29
1:30 p.m., in the first-floor duPont Board Room at the hospital, 267 Grant St. The support group meeting is open to anyone with chronic respiratory disease. To register, call 1-888-357-2396.

PASTORAL CARE TRAINING – Bridgeport Hospital’s Department of Spiritual Care & Education has openings in its part-time, extended unit Clinical Pastoral Education Program, which will meet Tuesdays, Oct. 5, 2010–April 26, 2011. The program will be offered at two sites: Bridgeport Hospital, 267 Grant Street, Bridgeport, and the Veterans Administration Medical Center, 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven. For information or to apply, contact
Rev. Jay Cooke, CPE supervisor, at 203-384-3948 or vjcook@bpthosp.org.

FIRST AID AND SAFETY CLASSES – Bridgeport Hospital’s Emergency Care Institute will offer the following self-care classes. To register, call 203-384-4497.
· American Heart Association Adult, Child and Infant CPR Two-Year Certification –
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 6:00–9:00 p.m. The cost is $50.
· Pediatric First Aid and Safety and American Heart Association Infant and Child CPR –
Saturday, Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. The cost is $80 for the full class or $50 for the first aid portion only.
· Administration of Medicine Class – Tuesday, Oct. 12, 6:00–9:00 p.m. The cost is $25 or $15 for injectable medications only.
For information about workplace or community-based group classes, call 203-384-4748.

PHYSICIAN INFORMATION AND REFERRALS – Bridgeport Hospital provides free information about, and referrals to, more than 585 affiliated physicians 24 hours a day. Call 1-888-357-2396 for information on physician specialties, office hours and locations as well as insurance plans accepted. Bridgeport Hospital physicians represent more than 70 medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties, including internal medicine/family practice, OB/GYN, orthopedics, pediatrics and psychiatry.

BILLING QUESTIONS – Bridgeport Hospital provides free, confidential assistance to patients and families with questions about their hospital bills. Financial counselors are available during regular business hours to privately discuss billing issues and payment assistance options, including eligibility for free or discounted care. Bridgeport Hospital also pays a state employee to be on-site to help patients apply for Medicaid and other state assistance programs. For an appointment to see a financial counselor, call 203-384-3449.