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Neighborhood report

Hospital educates the public at center

Tampa General wants to provide valuable information in a relaxed and professional setting.

By ERIKA VIDAL
Published March 10, 2006

If a lecture on colon cancer doesn't sound appealing, how about combining it with shopping at Anthropologie and grabbing a cup of joe at Indigo Coffee?

Tampa General Hospital opened a Community Health Education Center last week at Old Hyde Park Village, 740 S Village Circle. The second-floor space facing the fountain, once a candle shop and then an office, was remodeled and redecorated into a bright reception area and high-tech presentation room.

The hospital experimented with the center a few years ago to see whether the community would take advantage of it, and it turned out people did. The center offers presentations on health issues including sleeping problems and Parkinson's disease.

Mary Jane Badillo, the hospital's community relations manager, who runs the center, said the office was created to provide the health education that the public wants and needs in a relaxed and professional environment. The free parking helps, too, she said.

Presentations are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays with registration at 6 p.m. and from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Fridays with registration at 9:30 a.m. People can also register by calling toll-free 1-800-822-3627.

Each lecture will be led by a physician or an expert from Tampa General Hospital. The free sessions will last an hour, followed by 30 minutes of questions and answers.

The center will provide a free total cholesterol, blood glucose and blood pressure screening once a month. A complete lipid panel test costs $10. Other special presentations will include "Talk to Your Kids About Sex" and "Your Daughter is Maturing."

Lecture topics in March and April include "Diagnosing ADD/ADHD in Adults and Children," "Understanding Medicare's New Prescription Drug Plan" and "Treatments for Varicose Veins." A full listing is available at www.tgh.org

[Last modified March 9, 2006, 14:26:08]