New Orleans health briefs for Feb. 28, 2013

Heart group names ‘Circle of Red’ leader

The Greater New Orleans Area American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association has named Janie Glade as chairperson of the Circle of Red.

The Circle of Red is a group of women who have the resources to affect the community by providing a personal commitment to help find a cure for heart disease. The Circle of Red members are champions for reducing the impact that heart disease has in our lives.

Glade is a wedding coordinator and the owner of Old.New.Blue., a wedding necessities boutique and gift shop at 6117 Magazine St.

Dyslexia expert
to speak at Tulane

Dyslexia expert Susan Barton will lead a dyslexia seminar from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Monday at McAlister Auditorium on Tulane University’s Uptown campus.

Barton, founder of Bright Solutions for Dyslexia, will share the causes and warning signs of dyslexia, a reading disability that affects one out of every five children in the United States.

She will also discuss effective tutoring methods and simple accommodations needed to succeed in the classroom.

The seminar is being sponsored by Tulane’s Teacher Preparation and Certification Program and St. George’s Episcopal School.

To RSVP, go to Tulane.EventBrite.com.

For more information, contact Monique Hodges at mhodges3@tulane.edu.

Breastfeeding forum available at Ochsner

The Ochsner Division of Women’s Services sponsors a free breastfeeding class at 7 p.m. Monday at Monroe Hall on the main campus, first floor of the hospital, 1514 Jefferson Highway, Jefferson, near the Southport Cafeteria.

A family member is encouraged to attend with the new or expectant mother.

Registration is required. Call (504) 842-4155.

For breastfeeding questions, call the Warmline at (504) 842- 5210.

Touro seminars tout healthy lifestyles info

Dietitians at Touro Infirmary lead a seminar on healthy eating strategies at 5 p.m. March 7 in the Foucher Room, 1401 Foucher St., second floor, New Orleans.

Light refreshments will be provided.

Parking in the Prytania and Delachaise Street garages will be validated. The seminar is free, but registration is required. Call (504) 897-8500 for more information.

Bus offers children free immunizations

The Greater New Orleans Immunization Network bus offers free shots to children who lack insurance coverage for vaccinations. The network also maintains a computerized registry for easy record-keeping.

For information, call (504) 733-3268 or go to http://www.GNOshots4kids.com.

The bus will be parked at the following times and locations:

• 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday at Rouses, 4001 General de Gaulle Drive, Algiers.
• 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday at Clearview Mall, Veterans Boulevard, Metairie.
• 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Home Depot, 500 N. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans.
• 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday at Walgreens, Bullard and Lake Forest avenues, New Orleans .

Ochsner offers free glucose screenings

Free glucose and cholesterol screenings will be offered from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Thursday at Rouse’s 1644 Gause Blvd., Slidell, and 3711 Power Blvd., Metairie. Fasting is not required. Results onsite. For more information, call Cathy Hernaez at (504) 842-5799.

Medicare seminar set at Ochsner

Ochsner will hold a seminar on understanding Medicare with Peoples Health at 10 a.m. Thursday in the conference center of Brent House, main campus, 1514 Jefferson Highway, Jefferson.

For information, call (888) 257-4515.

Cancer support available at W. Jeff.

Bosom Buddies, a support group for breast cancer survivors, their family members and caregivers, meets the first Tuesday of the month at West Jefferson Medical Center’s Hall of History in the Gretna Classroom at the hospital in Marrero.

To register, call (504) 349-1640.

Grief support groups meet at Touro, W. Jeff

Free grief support groups are sponsored by the Akula Foundation at Touro Infirmary on the first and third Thursday of the month and at West Jefferson General Hospital on the first and third Wednesday.

Call (504) 723-3628.

Epilepsy group offers counseling services

Short-term counseling provides assistance in coping with the initial diagnosis of a seizure disorder, temporary and chronic difficulties and stress management.

Efforts are directed toward promoting the healthy functioning of people with epilepsy.

For information, contact Kelly Aprill at (800) 960-0587 or check online at http://www.epilepsylouisiana.org.

Parkinson’s support group sets meetings

Parkinson’s support group offers opportunities to share information on new treatments and medications; discuss tips and tricks for living well with Parkinson’s and offer each other positive reinforcement.

Meetings are at 1:30 p.m. the last Monday of the month at East Jefferson General Hospital and include a guest speaker.

Call (504) 456-5000 for more information.

E. Jefferson hosts stroke support group

Stroke support group meetings are held on the last Wednesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in the eighth-floor gym at East Jefferson General Hospital. Call (504) 456-5000 for information.