SHELTON, WA – Start the decade with healthy habits by taking part in Mason Health’s January class offerings. This year starting this month, Mason Health’s First Aid/CPR/AED class will now take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month. The Diabetes Wellness Center will also be offering a new orientation seminar in January.

First Aid/CPR/AED Class:

Debuting at a new time and day to better accommodate the schedules of community members, the District’s First Aid/CPR/AED course will be from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 11, at Mason Health’s Learning Center, next to McDonald’s on Olympic Highway North. Learn the basics of first response by taking this important course. Registration deadline is Jan. 4. A fee of $40, exact cash or check, is required in advance to cover the cost of books and materials, and an e-Card can be made available upon successful completion of the course. Comfortable clothing is recommended for all participants, and a Spanish interpreter can be provided upon request. Call the Learning Center for more details about availability at 360-427-3609.

Diabetes Wellness Classes:

The Diabetes Wellness Center is getting ready to start a new series in the Diabetes Prevention Program. These classes are in addition to the regular support group meetings held in Shelton and Allyn in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association. The Diabetes Prevention Program is an experiential program facilitated by a coach in a small group setting.

Orientation for the program, beginning its ninth class, will be offered at two times for the convenience of our patients: 2 to 3 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, in the Washington meeting room, and again from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 21, in the Pershing meeting room, both at Mason General Hospital. Classes will then continue for six months at those designated times.

“The aim is to support you to make changes to your lifestyle through healthy eating, weight loss, stress reduction and regular physical activity, and to empower you to delay or prevent diabetes for the long term,” said Debbie McGinnis, Diabetes Program Coordinator. “The purpose of this orientation meeting is to introduce our Diabetes Prevention Class and discuss the program as well as help you determine if the class will be a benefit in helping you reach your goals.”

The Diabetes Wellness Center will not have its Type 1 Diabetes Support Group, this month, but will continue the class the second Wednesday in February. Call the Mason General Hospital Diabetes Wellness Center at 360-427-7332 for more information.

The Center will also be hosting its regular Diabetes Support Groups in Shelton and Allyn in January. The topic for this month is “What’s On Your Mind?” This open discussion about diabetes self-management is a chance to ask anything. The meeting will start with a brief overview of diabetes. Family and friends are welcome. The Shelton Diabetes Support Group will meet from 1 to 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 16, at the Pershing meeting room at Mason General Hospital. The Allyn Diabetes Support Group will meet from 1 to 2 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 23, at the Port of Allyn meeting room. Contact the Mason General Hospital Diabetes Wellness Center at 360-427-7332 for more information.

Cancer Wellness Workshop:

The District partners with the Karen Hilburn Cancer Fund and Harmony Hill Retreat Center to offer a Cancer Wellness workshop for patients and caregivers impacted by cancer. This support group will meet from 4 to 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 8, in the Pershing Room of Mason General Hospital. This workshop typically meets every second Wednesday of the month. Call 360-432-7706 to sign up.

A full list of classes and support groups can be found at masongeneral.com/community/classes.

Mason Health, Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County, is certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. Mason Health now offers 3D Mammography Services.  For more information on 3D mammograms or to find a health care provider, visit www.MasonGeneral.com.