Rapides Regional Events March 2014
March 8: American Heart Association’s Heart Walk, 9 a.m., Big Island at City Park. Activities begin at 8 a.m. with the 5K walk set to begin at 9 a.m. Follow the signs and join the Rapides Regional Medical Center team as it participates in this annual event. Survivors can stop by the Rapides Regional Heart Hospital “Survivor Tent” for a heart-healthy breakfast. Craig Pearce, M.D., will serve as Heart Walk chairperson. Call 769-3135 for more information.
March 10: Look Good…Feel Better, Noon. Cascade Room in Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Cancer can rob a woman of her energy, appetite and strength. But it doesn’t have to take away her self-confidence. Look Good…Feel Better is a free program led by a trained volunteer cosmetologist who teaches beauty techniques to female cancer patients in active therapy. In order to provide complimentary cosmetics, advance registration is required. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 to register. Please identify what color makeup kit you will need: light, medium, dark or extra dark.
March 12: Diabetes Group Class: 9 a.m. – Noon, Medical Terrace Auditorium at Rapides Regional Medical Center. Rapides Regional Medical Center is offering a free program designed for adults with newly diagnosed diabetes and for people needing a refresher course in diabetes management. This is a basic diabetes program; therefore no physician referral is required. The program content follows the American Diabetes Association guidelines and uses a variety of teaching methods to enhance learning. Topics include meal planning, monitoring blood sugar, medications, complications, and learning to deal with a chronic disease. The course is taught by Sandy Couvillon, Registered Dietitian, and Amie Starks, Registered Nurse. The program is free, but space is limited. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (318) 769-3106.
March 15: Prepared Childbirth Class, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Gallery Room in the Medical Terrace at Rapides Regional Medical Center. This one-day class, taught by a certified childbirth instructor, prepares couples for the actual delivery. Topics include stages of labor and delivery, when to go to the hospital, pain management, assisted delivery, Cesarean birth as well as a tour of Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital. A light lunch will be provided. To register, call 318-769-4440.
March 17: Cancer Support Group, Noon, Cascade Room in Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital. If you or someone you know has cancer, or you are a caretaker of someone with cancer, please join this group on the third Monday of each month. A light meal will be served. Please pre-register by calling (318) 769-7200.
March 17: Breathing and Relaxation, 6:30 p.m.- 8:30 p.m., Cascade Room in Rapides Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Taught by a certified childbirth instructor, this class will be an in-depth opportunity to practice breathing and relaxation techniques and other comfort measures for labor and delivery. The support partner/father is encouraged to attend. Bring pillows to class. To register, call 318-769-4440.
March 20: Better Breathers Club, Noon, Rapides Health and Lifestyles Center, 724 Scott Street. Rapides Regional Medical Center offers the American Lung Association’s “Better Breathers Club” for patients with chronic lung disease. This is the only Better Breathers Club in Central Louisiana. The meetings will include guest speakers and a chance to ask questions of your own. Lunch is provided. Please pre-register by calling (318) 769-3776.
March 21: Second Light Up The Night 5K, 6:30 p.m., Rapides Cancer Center. This 3.1-mile race begins and ends at the Rapides Cancer Center on the campus of Rapides Regional Medical Center. All proceeds benefit the American Cancer Society. The entry fee is $25 if registered by 10 a.m. on March 5 and $30 thereafter. Registration fee includes an event extreme-tek T-shirt. Registration ends 30 minutes prior to the start of the race. You may register online at imathlete.com, or visit rapidesregional.com for an entry form. The deadline to register online is Thursday, March 20.
March 25: Diabetes Screening Day, 8 a.m.-Noon, Alexandria Mall. Held in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association’s annual Alert Day, participants will fill out a short survey, have their blood pressure and glucose measured, as well as height and weight assessments to calculate their BMI. Educational and nutritional information also will be available. The screenings are free and no appointment is needed. For more information, call 769-3445.
March 27: Muscular Dystrophy Support Group, 6 p.m., Gallery Room in the Medical Terrace at Rapides Regional Medical Center. Meetings include guest speakers and access to staff from the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Call (800) 644-9730.
March 29: Eighth Annual Arts & Healthcare Follies & Art Exhibit, 6:30 p.m., Coughlin Saunders Performing Arts Center, 1202 Third Street, Alexandria. This annual event is hosted by Central Louisiana Arts and Healthcare Inc. Tickets to the event are $15 for general admission and $50 for patron tickets, which include reserved seating and admission to the patron party at River Oaks after the show. Ticket prices will be higher at the door. For more information, or to order tickets, call 769-7602 or visit www.artsandhealthcare.org.
March 31, Doctors’ Day: Join Rapides Regional Medical Center as it salutes its medical staff on National Doctors’ Day. In 1990, President George H. Bush signed legislation designating March 30 as “National Doctor’s Day.” Go to our Facebook page to leave a note of thanks to your favorite doctor. Call Rapides Regional Medical Center’s physician referral line at 1-877-801-8441 to find a physician near you.