HCN News & Notes

Baystate Health Loyalty Programs To Hold Four Free Virtual Events in February

SPRINGFIELD — Baystate Health’s Loyalty Programs will offer four free virtual events in February, beginning with “Navigating the Menopause Transition” on Monday, Feb. 5. All events are open to the general public.

The road to menopause can be long and winding, with many women experiencing hot flashes and other bothersome symptoms for seven to 10 years or more during the perimenopausal period. After menopause, some symptoms related to hormonal changes may persist for life. During “Navigating the Menopause Transition” at 6 p.m., Vanessa Ross, Menopause Society certified provider, Baystate Midwifery and Women’s Health, will discuss what menopause is, what to expect, and how to manage symptoms.

Medications continue to revolutionize medicine. But starting new medications, taking over-the-counter medications, or managing ongoing medications can sometimes be challenging. During “Medication Tips from the Pharmacist” on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at 6 p.m., Dr. Mark Heelon, medication safety officer, Baystate Health, will discuss questions to ask the pharmacist, going to the hospital with medications, parents administering medications to their children, and other helpful medication-management tips.

A cough is a natural reflex to help clear and protect the airway. An occasional cough is normal, and typically a cough will go away on its own, but what if a cough lingers and lasts for weeks? During “Persistent Coughing” on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at 6 p.m., Dr. Sybille Liautaud and Dr. O’Neil Green, Pulmonary Critical Care, Baystate Pulmonary, Non-CF Bronchiectasis Clinic, will discuss coughs that are the result of damaged airways, non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and non-tuberculosis mycobacteria and how they are treated.

During “Do This, Not That, to Avoid Falls” on Thursday, Feb. 29 from 2 to 3 p.m., the team from Baystate Rehabilitation Care, including Courtney Brown, PT; Michelle Lantaigne, OT; Erin Jarosz, OT; and Diana Edwards-Chung, MSN, RN, who is Injury Prevention coordinator, will discuss what to do and not to do, as well as practical home-safety guidelines for preventing falls in the home.

Registration is required for each session at baystatehealth.org/events.