Monthly Events

MAMMO MARATHON 2011

All Day Mammography Screenings

One out of every eight women will be diagnosed this year with breast cancer. Early detection can save lives. That’s why the Central Georgia Breast Care Center and Central Georgia Diagnostics at The Medical Center of Central Georgia have teamed up to provide a convenient, no-appointment-necessary event for women in central Georgia. Wednesday, April 13, is the second screening event in Mammo Marathon 2011, which provides women with state-of-the-art mammography.

This event takes place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Central Georgia Breast Care Center, 1014 Forsyth St., and Central Georgia Diagnostics, 5925 Zebulon Rd. Patrons are reminded to please bring their doctor’s referral with them to the mammogram screenings. Refreshments, a door prize drawing at each location, and financial assistance are also part of the event.

MCCG will host these Mammo Marathon days on the 13th business day of these months – May, June, July, September, October and December.

Opera Concert to Benefit Pearlman Cancer Center and Dasher Heart Center

The South Georgia Medical Center Foundation will host its third annual Valdosta Bel Canto Concert at the Park Avenue United Methodist Church on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2011 at 4:00 P.M.

Bel Canto (Beautiful Singing) is a musical concert by internationally known singers from the Metropolitan Opera. This year’s performance features Accompanist, Michael Wittenburg and Artistic Director, Stella Zambalis. Wittenburg has served as music director of the Chamber Orchestra and Opera Theater at Lee University. He has also served as the vocal coach and assistant conductor with the Orlando Opera and Sarasota Opera.

Zambalis is a recurring guest of the Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera, Houston Grand Opera, and more. She has also performed in Europe with the Deutsche Opera Berlin and the Festival of Two Worlds in Spoleto, Italy.

Favorite arias from several operas and popular Broadway songs will also be performed by Baritone Mark Walters and Soprano Elizabeth Caballero. Walters made his European debut with Den Nye Opera in Bergen, Norway as Germont in La Traviata in 2009. Walters is quickly gaining international attention because of his appearances in leading roles throughout the United States. He has a repertoire of over 50 roles for the lyrical stage and 20 oratorio works.

Caballero made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera as Frasquita in the new Carmen this past season. She is becoming widely recognized for her fearless portrayal of the lyric soprano repertoire. The San Francisco Chronicle hails her as a “powerful diva in the making”.

This special fundraising event will be an unforgettable opportunity to share with family and friends in Southwest Georgia. All proceeds will benefit the Pearlman Cancer Center and Dasher Heart Center at SGMC.

For tickets and additional information, please call 229-333-1071.

CENTRAL GEORGIA HEALTH SYSTEM HEALTHY DATES

THE WELLNESS CENTER

The Cancer WellFit Project

The Cancer WellFit Project is a free oncology recovery program that offers cancer patients the opportunity to return to their fullest physical, psychological and emotional potential. This is a program of specifically prescribed exercise, combined with education and support. The class meets three times a week for 12 weeks and is available at no cost to all central Georgia citizens diagnosed with cancer. For more information, please call Sandra Stone at The Wellness Center (478-477-2300).

Power Over Parkinson's

A 12-week exercise and education program for adults living with Parkinson’s disease. The cost for this program includes exercise classes, nutrition sessions with a registered dietitian, and educational materials. Caregivers are welcome to attend classes at no additional cost. Participants can now enroll in a maintenance program after the initial 12-week program. Please call Sandra Stone at 478-477-2300 for more information. Tuesdays: 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; Thursdays: 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.; One-time $20 registration fee, $40 per month.

St. Mary’s Hospice offers Healing Grief support group

St. Mary’s Hospice Services is now taking applications for participation in its free Healing Grief support group, an 8-week program for men and women who have lost a loved one through death.

The group will meet from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. each Thursday from April 7 through May 26 at St. Mary’s Highland Hills Village, 1660 Jennings Mill Road. In this private, peaceful setting, participants will learn ways to better cope with the death of their loved one in a supportive group environment.

Healing Grief will be facilitated by Hospice Chaplain Rev. Bill Hayes and hospice social worker Robin McDonald, LMSW.

The group takes an educational and supportive approach to healing. Topics will include: understanding grief; remembering, accepting and expressing feelings; spirituality; stress and coping; anniversaries, and memorialization.

Healing Grief is free but participants need to complete an application in order to enroll. To request an application or for more information, call St. Mary’s Hospice at 706.389.2273 or, toll-free, 1.800.822.3381.
 

The Medical Center of Central Georgia Implements Tobacco-Free Campus Policy

Just Breathe Initiative is Effective July 1, 2011

MACON, GA (March 7, 2011) - The Medical Center of Central Georgia (MCCG) will go tobacco free on Friday, July 1, 2011. No tobacco use of any kind will be permitted - inside or outside - on hospital property, including parking areas, garages or inside parked vehicles on hospital grounds. This initiative, Just Breathe, will include the elimination of designated areas outside MCCG where employees, patients and visitors are currently permitted to use tobacco products.

As a health care organization, we are committed to the health and safety of our employees and patients. We believe we have a responsibility to take a leadership role on this major health issue, and establishing our entire campus as tobacco free firmly supports that belief.

"It is very important we as an organization dedicated to health and healing take a position consistent with that philosophy," Central Georgia Health System/MCCG CEO and President Don Faulk said. "In taking this position, we want to do so in a manner that encourages a positive transition. This change will be very difficult for some and for our institution as we work with our patients and families. However, it is the right decision for the health of those we serve, which after all, is our mission. I urge the community's support as we work through this change."

Over 10,000 Georgia residents die each year from smoking, and tobacco is the cause of more than one of every six deaths in the state and is the root cause of many illnesses and lost productivity, according to a 2007 study from the Georgia Department of Human Resources. The US Surgeon General has confirmed that exposure to secondhand tobacco smoke is a serious health hazard and that there is no risk-free level of exposure. Tobacco use in and around hospitals poses health and safety risks for patients, employees and visitors.

MCCG is not asking anyone to stop using tobacco, but we do require them to refrain from its use while on our campus. The tobacco-free initiative is our ongoing commitment to serve as a role model for healthy living.

We are asking for community support in MCCG's tobacco-free initiative as we move toward July 1.

Please note: Media contact on Monday, March 7, 2011 is Nick West (478-633-1527).

Mammo Marathon 2011

All Day Mammography Screenings

One out of every eight women will be diagnosed this year with breast cancer. Early detection can save lives. That’s why the Central Georgia Breast Care Center and Central Georgia Diagnostics at The Medical Center of Central Georgia have teamed up to provide a convenient, no appointment necessary event for women in central Georgia. Thursday, Jan. 13 is the inaugural day for MammoMarathon 2011, which provides women with state-of-the-art mammography.

This event takes place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Central Georgia Breast Care Center, 1014 Forsyth St., and Central Georgia Diagnostics, 5925 Zebulon Rd. Patrons are reminded to please bring their doctor’s referral with them to the mammogram screenings. Refreshments, a door prize drawing at each location, and financial assistance are also part of the event.

MCCG will host these Mammo Marathon days on the 13th business day of these months – April, May, June, July, September, October and December.