Community Programs and Services

Fit Kids, brought to you by FSLH and MVP Health Care, is a local initiative to educate and encourage a healthy lifestyle for families and children. Experts offer tips on topics such as nutritional food choices, bicycle safety, how to keep children active and internet safety. The segments can be viewed on WUTR and WFXV and anytime on www.cnyhompage.com.

The Fit Kids program features a hotline (1-866-480-4040) that you can call to ask questions about your child’s general well-being, or about any health, safety or nutrition concern you may have. Professionals are on staff to answer your questions and all calls are confidential. No matter what your concern may be, call today to make sure you have a Fit Kid.

Watch our Fit Kids segments on YouTube >

The HERS (Women’s Health Education and Referral Service) Program, which is part of The Women's Center, is dedicated to helping women of the Mohawk Valley and their families.

Almost all women have questions about their health. The HERS Program is committed to addressing the unique health related needs of our diverse community and is available to help answer healthcare questions that effect today's women.

How can HERS help me with my health questions?

A registered nurse provides information on mammography, menopause, osteoporosis, stress management and much more. We are an information resource service offering a telephone health line, referrals, screening programs and community education to give you the most up-to-date health information available.

What services does the HERS Program offer?

Telephone Healthline

When you call the HERS Healthline at (315) 624-HERS (4377) a registered nurse is there to answer your questions. We are here to offer health and wellness information at no charge, regardless of which healthcare provider you use. We provide the most up-to-date information available obtained from reliable sources.

Referral Service

Call us if you're new in the area, would like a second opinion, are interested in support groups, counseling services, nutrition information or women's services in the community. HERS also works with the Oneida County Health Department Cancer Services Program Partnership focusing on referrals for local women who have no or limited healthcare, and/or Medicaid coverage.

Women's Resource Center

Women's health has been recognized as a unique specialty in healthcare. Our center can access and link you to information pertaining to nutrition, diseases, treatment regimes and more. We'll mail you the information you need, or we invite you to stop by and talk with our nurse. Your information requests are, of course, confidential.

Community Education Programs

Today's woman is more health conscious and better informed than ever before. With this in mind, HERS presents a variety of community education programs aimed at issues surrounding women's health. Experts in their fields speak on topics of interest and current health trends. The Senior Sunday Luncheon and Lecture Series is designed for individuals 50 years and older and includes a free lunch followed by a professional information presentation.

Past education programs have explored:

• menopause issues
• stress
• osteoporosis/osteoarthritis
• depression
• nutrition
• colorectal cancer facts
• diabetes
• Medicaid Part D and long-term care insurance
• humor and the aging process
• weight-loss surgery

Call us today and we'll be happy to add your name to our mailing list so that you will receive announcements of our programs as well as our HERS newsletter, which is published bi-annually.

Planning a Program or Seminar?

Call us for information on speakers with a variety of expertise in the healthcare field. The staff at HERS is available to speak on breast health and women's health issues to women's clubs and businesses.

Ongoing programs

For more information or to register for any of the following classes, call HERS at (315) 624-HERS (4377) unless otherwise noted.

After Breast Cancer (ABC)

The After Breast Cancer support network, created by women who have had breast cancer, is in its 18th year. The group meets monthly and is dedicated to providing education, information and emotional support to you and those who are confronting the physical and emotional issues of breast cancer.

All meetings are free, open to the public and are held on a Saturday morning at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare’s Regional Cancer Center at 11am.

For more information or to be added to the ABC mailing list, call (315) 624-5764.

Breastfeeding Classes

Free monthly breastfeeding classes held on Saturday mornings for expectant parents who have chosen or are considering breastfeeding. To register call 624-6762.

Sibling Preparation Class

This class is designed for children ages 3 to 9 years old who are expecting the birth of a sibling within the next two months. Our Pediatric Childlife Specialist can be contacted at (315) 624-6122 for more information.

Hospitalization and illness is often a frightening experience for children. Children are exposed to many new people as well as unfamiliar experiences and sometimes-painful medical procedures. How children react to these experiences affects both the physical and emotional well being of the child.

At Faxton St. Luke's Healthcare, a child life specialist trained in the areas of child growth and development, family dynamics, play and children's reactions to health care and illness works with all children and adolescents 17 and younger who are admitted into our hospital. All staff members on this unit are trained in providing age appropriate and developmental care as well.

The child life specialist works to:

• reduce the anxiety and stress that children, adolescents and families feel in a medical setting
• continue a child's normal emotional, social, physical and cognitive growth
• educate children and families about the different medical procedures that will be encountered
• provide parental support and encourage participation in their child's health care
• help children and families continue everyday life as much as possible

For more information, contact our child life specialist Melissa Racioppa at (315) 624-6122.