Special Programs:

Weight Loss Surgery: Gastric Banding & Other Options
Saturdays at 11:00 a.m.
March 29, May 31, November 22

Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
July 15

Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
March 13, April 10 & 24, May 8, June 12 & 26, July 10 & 24, August 28, September 11, October 9, November 13, December 11

Hylton Education Center (Garden Level of Potomac Hospital)

NEW! Fredericksburg Location
Saturday, October 25, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Hilton Garden Inn Fredericksburg
1060 Hospitality Lane, Fredericksburg

Free. To register call Potomac's Health Connection at (703) 221-2500 or register online.

If you are 100 pounds or more over your ideal body weight, you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery. Potomac Hospital, an American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) Center of Excellence, offers laparoscopic gastric banding and gastric bypass. The ASMBS Center of Excellence designation recognizes surgical programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable outcomes in weight loss surgery. Find out more about the surgery, insurance coverage and our team of professionals at our free monthly seminars presented by Denis Halmi, M.D. and Daniel Tran, M.D.

Peripheral Arterial Disease Screening
Saturday, September 27, 2008
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
The Potomac Center, First Floor (next to Potomac Hospital)
Free. To register call Potomac's Health Connection at (703) 221-2500 or register online.

If you experience leg pain, particularly when walking or exercising, that usually disappears after a few minutes of exercising, you may have Peripheral Arterial Disease or PAD. PAD affects the body's blood vessels, especially in arms, legs, feet and hands. In addition to leg pain, other symptoms of PAD can include: (1) numbness and tingling in the lower legs and feet, (2) coldness in the lower legs and feet, or (3) ulcers or sores on the legs or feet that don’t heal. This screening is for adults who are currently not being treated for PAD.

Remembrance Ceremony
Commemorating infant and pregnancy loss
October 12, 2008
2:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Hylton Education Center (Garden Level of Potomac Hospital)
Free. No registration is necessary. For information call (703) 583-3003 or online at www.potomachospital.com.

In honor of National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, Potomac Hospital is holding a Remembrance Ceremony in October, 12 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. in the Hylton Education Center, Garden level of Potomac Hospital. Please join us for speakers, poetry read by parents, music, commemoration and refreshments. All are welcome, including children.

New Advances in Spinal Surgery
Minimally Invasive Techniques and Beyond
Wednesday, November 5, 2008 and Wednesday, April 8, 2009
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Hylton Education Center (Garden Level of Potomac Hospital)
Free! Registration is required. To register, call Potomac’s Health Connection at (703) 221-2500 or online.

If you are considering surgery to relieve your back pain or if you suffer from chronic neck or back pain, recurrent pain, or leg or sciatica pain, you’ll want to attend this free seminar presented by Paymaun Lotfi, M.D., who is medical director of Potomac Hospital’s Spine Center. Dr. Lotfi is a specialist in Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery (MISS).

Removing herniated discs and other common back operations can now be performed using minimally invasive techniques. These new surgical procedures are more precise, cause less damage to the surrounding tissue and require much smaller incisions. That means faster recoveries and shorter hospital stays for patients.

Most back pain is temporary and treatable with medicines or physical therapy. But for some, surgery is the best course, particularly when less invasive procedures can be used.

19th Annual Diabetes Fair
Saturday, October 25, 2008
1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
Hylton Education Center (Garden Level of Potomac Hospital)
Free. To register call Potomac's Health Connection at (703) 221-2500 or register online.

Get helpful hints for managing your diabetes at this free event from Potomac Hospital. Talk to healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical representatives. Tour exhibits from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. A presentation will follow from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Group Presentations on Health Topics
Free. To arrange a group presentation call (703) 670-1877 or (540) 659-1800, ext. 1877.

Potomac Hospital’s community educators are available to make presentations at the workplace and to local civic, community and church groups of 10 or more people. Some popular topics include asthma awareness, diabetes, cancer prevention, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, and nutrition seminars. Among the most requested presentations for children’s groups are first aid basics, healthy eating tips and Teddy Bear Clinics.

Senior Immunization Program
Each fall, Potomac Hospital, in partnership with the Prince William Health District, offers free flu vaccines to persons 60 and over. Vaccines are given at places of worship and other community locations. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that everyone 65 and older get a flu shot each fall.

2008 Senior Immunization Schedule: Wednesday, November. 5, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church 18825 Fuller Heights Road, Triangle (703) 221-4044 Friday, November 7, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Prince William Area Senior Center at Woodbridge - 13850 Church Hill Drive, Woodbridge (703) 494-5136 Wednesday, November 12, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. - Lake Ridge Fellowship House 12800 Harbor Drive, Lake Ridge (703) 494-4455 For other immunization locations (fees may be charged) call the Prince William Health District at (703) 792-7300 (Woodbridge) or (703) 792-6300 (Manassas).

Virginia Governor Tim Kaine receives a flu shot from Potomac Hospital’s Judy Merring, R.N., at the Prince William Area Senior Center in Woodbridge. Governor Kaine was a the center to spread the word about the importance of flu shots for seniors.