Compiled by Debra Scherban. Please send items to dscherban@gazettenet.com.
Sarah Whedon, a full-spectrum doula, educator and author, will give a talk Nov. 14 at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst on providing support and information to someone considering pregnancy options.
The event, sponsored by the UMass Students for Reproductive Justice, will run from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Campus Center, Room 168C.
Whedon founded the Full-Spectrum Doula Circle and was a founding director of the Boston Doula Project. A full spectrum doula provides care across the range of pregnancy experiences, including abortion, adoption, surrogacy, miscarriage and stillbirth.
The UMass event will include information about resources available in the area.
Holyoke Medical Center will be hold a free Diabetes Wellness Fair Nov. 15 from 3 to 7 p.m. in the HMC Auxiliary Conference Center.
It will offer free blood pressure checks, a type 2 diabetes risk test questionnaire and more.
Medical experts will be on hand to offer information on preventing diabetes-related complications, including skin, foot, dental, eye and ear problems. Exercise and food portion control demonstrations will be presented. Pharmacists also will be there to discuss medications.
Private half-hour consultations can be scheduled by calling 413-534-2789.
A free flu clinic also will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. Registration for flu shots is required by calling 413-534-2533.
Complimentary valet parking will be available. HMC also offers regular transportation services throughout areas of Holyoke, Chicopee,and South Hadley. To make arrangements call HMC Transportation Services at 413-534-2607.
Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) has once again earned an “A” rating from The Leapfrog Group, a national nonprofit health care ratings organization. The grade ranks it among the safest hospitals in the United States.
The Holyoke Medical Center was one of 832 hospitals awarded a top grade, according to prepared statement from the medical center.
The Leapfrog Group assigns letter grades of A, B, C, D and F to hospitals nationwide based on their performance in preventing medical errors, infections and other harms. It uses 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 U.S. hospitals twice per year.
“It takes consistent, unwavering dedication to patients to achieve the highest standards of patient safety. An ‘A’ Safety Grade recognizes hospitals for this accomplishment,” said Leah Binder, president and CEO of The Leapfrog Group, in the prepared statement.
“Holyoke Medical Center has received four “A” grades in a row from the Leapfrog Group,” said Spiros Hatiras, president and chief executive officer of Holyoke Medical Center and Valley Health Systems, Inc. “This, once again, is an example of our continued commitment to providing the safest, high quality care for our community.”
To see Holyoke Medical Center’s full grade, and to access patient tips for staying safe in the hospital, visit www.hospitalsafetygrade.org.
Tuesday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Gateway Regional High School, 12 Littleville Road, Huntington
Tuesday, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m., Thornes Market, 150 Main St., Northampton
Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., University of Massachusetts Student Union, 41 Campus Center Way, Amherst
Friday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., World War II Club, 50 Conz St., Northampton
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., South Hadley Fire Department, 20 Woodbridge St., South Hadley