St. Mary Medical Center focuses on women’s wellness in October with breast health, Pap-a-thon programs

St. Mary Medical Center focuses on women’s wellness in October with breast health, Pap-a-thon programs

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and St. Mary Medical Center is making breast health and other women’s health and wellness topics a focus of this month’s community events.

The Women’s Diagnostic Center (WDC) at St. Mary Medical Center will host two free Breast Health programs – the first at St. Mary Medical Center, 1500 S. Lake Park Ave. in Hobart on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 6 p.m., and the second at the Valparaiso Health Center, 3800 St. Mary Drive, on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 6 p.m. To register, call 219-836-3477 or toll-free 866-836-3477.  

Both programs will feature presentations by physicians, nurse navigators and clinical staff from the WDC who will discuss breast health before, during and after cancer diagnosis and treatment.

At each program, healthcare experts – including Radiologist Janushi Dalal, MD, Oncologist/Hematologists Gowri Ramadas, MD and Rozina Chowdhery, MD, Breast Care Navigator Ana Bran Guzman, RN, and Women’s Diagnostic Center Supervisor Donna Faitak, RT – will discuss the care journey for breast cancer treatment and will offer best practices for how women can be proactive about breast health throughout their lives.

On Saturday, Oct. 26, from 8 – 11 a.m., St. Mary Medical Center will host its annual Pap-a-thon event at the Portage Health Center II, 3545 Arbors Blvd. in Portage. This event provides free pap tests (pre-registration required) to uninsured and under-insured women, as well as certified bra fittings, chair massages and more. There will also be refreshments and door prizes. To register, call 219-836-3477 or toll-free 866-836-3477. 

Also, on Sunday, Oct. 27, from 1 – 3 p.m. at the Hobart Family YMCA, 601 W. 40th Place, St. Mary Medical Center will co-sponsor Yoga for a Cure, a two-hour yoga class and fundraiser benefitting the Hobart Y and The Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Clinical staff from the Women’s Diagnostic Center and Therapy Services at St. Mary Medical Center will be on hand to provide information on breast cancer symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, as well as lymphedema therapy and oncology rehabilitation therapy.

Participants may register for a $10 donation and are asked to bring a yoga mat and water bottle. For more information, contact the Hobart Y at 219-942-2183 or visit them online at hobartymca.org.       

St. Mary Medical Center is one of four hospitals in Community Healthcare System, which also includes Community Hospital in Munster, St. Catherine Hospital in East Chicago, and Community Stroke and Rehabilitation Center in Crown Point. For more information on the physicians and services of Community Healthcare System, visit us online at COMHS.org.