Health Briefs Health Briefs

WILKES-BARRE – The Wyoming Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross conducts community blood drives throughout the month.
All donors during January and February will be eligible to have their fuel bill, up to $500, paid by the American Red Cross. There will be two winners drawn at random each month.
Donors who are 17 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in relatively good health may give blood every 56 days.
Donors who cannot attend a community drive may donate at the fixed donor site in Hanover Township.
Blood drives are conducted from noon to 6 p.m. every Monday (except holidays) at the chapter house, 256 N. Sherman St., Wilkes-Barre, and at the regional blood center, 29 New Commerce Blvd., Hanover Industrial Park: Wednesdays, noon to 5 p.m.; Thursdays, 3 to 7 p.m., and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to noon.
Collections also are held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Hazleton Chapter House, 165 Susquehanna Blvd., Hazleton. For information, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
A list of area blood donation sites follows:
Today, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Dallas Elementary School, Hildebrandt Road, Dallas Township.
Thursday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Genetti Hotel & Convention Center, 77 E. Market St., Wilkes-Barre.
Friday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Luzerne County Courthouse, North River Street, Wilkes-Barre.
Sunday, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Gate of Heaven Church, 10 Machell Ave., Dallas.
Sunday, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Holy Name/St. Mary’s, 283 Shoemaker St., Swoyersville.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, 12-5 p.m., Saxton Pavilion, 468 Northampton St., Edwardsville.
Wednesday, Feb. 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Wilkes-Barre Vo-Tech, Jumper Road, Plains Township.
Friday, Feb. 16, 1:30-6:30 p.m., Stickney/Nanticoke fire hall, Prospect Street, Nanticoke.
Friday, Feb. 16, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Luzerne County Courthouse, North River Street, Wilkes-Barre.
PITTSTON – The Healing Hearts bereavement support group of the parish communities of St. Casimir’s, St. John the Evangelist, St. John the Baptist and St. Joseph’s will begin a new series today in the parish dining room, 35 William St. Meetings begin at 7 p.m. and will be held Tuesdays through March 6. Anyone experiencing the loss of a loved one is invited. Call 654-0053 for more information.
EDWARDSVILLE – The Diabetes Management Center will host “Diabetes and Heart Disease” on Tuesday, Feb. 13, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Thomas P. Saxton Medical Pavilion, 468 East Northampton St.
Cardiologist Mallapa Udoshi, M.D., will explain why prevention of cardiovascular disease must be a top priority for all individuals – especially those with diabetes. This presentation will help individuals identify the symptoms of cardiovascular disease and learn ways to slow its progression. Door prizes will be awarded.
This presentation is free and open to the public, and is part of a series of support groups offered by the center. To register, call 552-7150.
The Diabetes Management Center is a division of the Northeast PA Diabetes Management Program and affiliate of Wyoming Valley Health Care System.
PLAINS TWP. – The “Go Red” Fashion Show, featuring models who are directly involved in the struggle against heart disease wearing the latest in everyday fashions available at and donated by local retail stores, will be held Saturday, Feb. 17, at noon at the Woodlands Inn & Resort.
The event will include cardiac risk assessments, BMIs, waist-to-hip ratios and a heart healthy presentation featuring cardiologist Jeffrey D’Andrea, D.O. In addition to lunch and a heart-healthy dessert, guests will be treated to free valet parking. There will be drawings for prizes such as gift certificates and tickets for local entertainment, a host of heart-healthy information and a fashion show featuring fashions from local retailers such as Buka, Dress Barn, Place One at the Hollywood, Shelby, Simply Chic, Talbot’s and Yuki’s.
Tickets are $20 per person, and proceeds will benefit The Heart and Vascular Institute at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital and the AHA. Reservations can be made by calling Wyoming Valley Health Care System at 552-7408.
HEALTH PEOPLE

Dr. Paul E. Niezgoda has joined the gastroenterology team at Geisinger Wyoming Valley. His office is in the gastroenterology department at the Valley Medical Building, 1000 East Mountain Blvd., Plains Township.
Niezgoda received his medical degree from Hershey Medical School-Pennsylvania State University and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville. He is board certified in internal medicine, gastroenterology and medical examination.

Ruth Werts, medical technologist at Pennant Laboratory Services, was recently recognized by the Beckman Coulter Corporation as a “Key Operator.” Werts maintains the Interlaboratory Quality Assurance Program with Beckman Coulter and is currently working on a project involving body fluid counts.
Pennant Laboratory is located at Wilkes-Barre General Hospital. An employee of Pennant Lab for more than 20 years, Werts is certified as a medical technologist and as a specialist in hematology by the American Society of Clinical Pathology.