You are invited to join us for these programs designed to provide insight and information about topics relevant to our community.

COMMUNITY EDUCATION

Shaking the Sodium from Your Diet and Living with CHF

An informative seminar that addresses the needs of those with chronic heart failure.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Those who are experiencing heart failure, or signs and symptoms of chronic cardiopulmonary disease.

Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2 p.m. WK Health & Fitness Center, 2474 Greenwood Road

Thursday, Dec. 10, 10 a.m. WK Bossier Health Center, Conference Room B, 2400 Hospital Drive

Wednesday, Dec. 16, 1 p.m. WK Pierremont Health Center, 8001 Youree Drive, Room 203

All sessions are free. Please register in advance.

SMOKING CESSATION

Hang Tough, Don’t Puff Group Session

Tuesday, Dec. 29, 5 p.m.

WK Health & Fitness Center, 2474 Greenwood Road Instructor: Jarrod Mitchell, MS, RCEP, Cardiac Rehabilitation Coordinator A tobacco cessation program designed to help individuals stop tobacco use and dependence.

$30. Registration required

JOINT REPLACEMENT CAMP

Designed for those who are considering or who have scheduled total hip or total knee replacement surgery. The Willis-Knighton Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Institute offers participants insight into the joint replacement process, from preadmission planning to surgery, follow-up and rehabilitation. Tuesday, Dec. 1, 9 a.m. WK Bossier Health Center, Conference Room B For nearest access, use the entrance by the Emergency Room. Tuesday, Dec. 15, 9 a.m. WK Pierremont Health Center, Conference Room 203 For nearest access, use Medical Office Building main entrance.

FEATURE: Paint Your Stress Away

Thursday, Jan. 7, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. Painting With a Twist 1409 E. 70th St., Shreveport Has the pressure of the holidays gotten the best of you? Invite your best girlfriend, your sister, mother or grandmother or your cool colleague from work and join us for an evening as you paint your holiday stress away in a fun and relaxing environment. Women need down time to nurture one another. Women of all ages are welcome. Light hors d'oeuvres and nonalcoholic beverages as well as all materials are included in your registration. If you join WOW during the registration process, you will receive the $10 discount. $25 for WOW members; $35 for non-members. If you wish to join WOW during the registration process, you will receive the $10 discount. All materials included. Please register in advance.

SUPPORT GROUPS AT WILLIS-KNIGHTON

Support groups at Willis-Knighton are provided at no cost to the participants.

Reservations are required.

CANCER

Willis-Knighton Cancer Center, 2600 Kings Highway Lunch provided for all noon meetings.

General Cancer Support Group

Tuesdays, Noon 4th Floor Conference Room This support group is designed to help patients and their loved ones discuss the emotional challenges and other concerns often faced by patients with cancer.

BEREAVEMENT

Offers information and support for people experiencing the loss of a loved one. Adults: Thursdays, Dec. 3, 10 & 17 - 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays, Dec. 22 & 29 - 5:30 p.m. Willis-Knighton Hospice of Louisiana, 616 East Flournoy Lucas Road, Shreveport

Children and Adolescents: Same dates in December, 5:30 p.m. Call for appointment.

Details and registration available at wkhs.com, ‘Classes & Events,’ or by calling (318) 212-8225.

HEART DISEASE

Heart to Heart – Women’s Cardiovascular Support Group

A monthly group discussion of topics related to women with heart disease

Thursday, Dec. 3, Noon WK Health & Fitness Center, 2474 Greenwood Road Presenters: Dot Quigley, RN, cardiac rehab nurse, and Merikay Ringer, Ph.D., spokesperson from WomenHeart: The National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease.

Thursday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m. WK Bossier Wellness Center, Cardiac Rehab Education Room, 2450 Hospital Drive Presenters: Rhonda Curtis, RN, cardiac rehab nurse, and Susan Miller, spokesperson from WomenHeart: The National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease.

Tuesday, Dec. 15, Noon WK Pierremont Health Center, Room 203 8001 Youree Drive Presenters: Bethany Falcon, exercise specialist, and Merikay Ringer, Ph.D., a spokesperson from WomenHeart: The National Coalition of Women with Heart Disease. Free. Reservations requested

PARKINSON’S

Saturday, Dec. 12, 11 a.m. Kerlin Memorial Conference Center in WK Eye Institute, 2611 Greenwood Road Parkinson’s symposium and Christmas party

FIBROMYALGIA

Tuesday, Dec. 15, Noon Kerlin Memorial Conference Center in WK Eye Institute, 2611 Greenwood Road

Entertainment

Centenary College Choir Christmas Concert & Reception Guest Performers:

Centenary College Choir

Thursday, Dec. 3, 5 p.m. Alta and John Franks Community Centre America’s Singing Ambassadors – the Centenary College Choir – return to The Oaks for their annual holiday concert that includes both modern and classic Christmas music. The concert, which will be preceded by a reception with punch and hors d’oeuvres, will include such favorites as “Jingle Bells” and “Mary, Did You Know?” Cost: $5, nonresidents. Registration is required.

‘Tis the Season: Celebrate the Holidays Through Song and Dance

Guest Performers: Shreveport Symphony musicians and members of Louisiana Dance Theatre

Thursday, Dec. 10, 4 p.m. Franks Community Centre This holiday program will include music from “Overture” from Messiah, “Christmas Concerto” and selections from “Nutcracker Suite.” Members of Carol Anglin’s Louisiana Dance Theatre will dance to "Wexford Carol/ Christmas Reel" and the program will conclude with a singalong. Cost: $5, nonresidents. Registration is required.

Lectures & Seminars

Healthwise You Better Not Pout: Relieve Holiday Stress Through Meditation

Guest Speakers: Dustin McCullough, RN, Willis-Knighton Health System, and Holly Winterrowd, senior wellness coordinator for The Oaks of Louisiana

Friday, Dec. 11, 2:30 p.m. Franks Community Centre The holidays can be an enjoyable time, offering a chance to reunite with family and friends, but they can also be very stressful. This time of year presents a multitude of demands: Parties, shopping, cooking and entertaining can send stress levels through the roof. Dustin McCullough and Holly Winterrowd will offer meditation exercises that will help you keep stress to a minimum so that you can enjoy a happy and healthy holiday season. Cost: $5, nonresidents. Registration is required.

Well Worth It Series

Recognizing the Signs of Suicidal Thoughts

Guest Speaker: Colleen Jones, retired RN

Friday, Dec. 18, 3 p.m. Tower at The Oaks Ballroom Colleen Jones, a registered nurse who trained and worked as a volunteer with the St. Landry Parish Suicide Prevention Committee and taught a course on crisis intervention and suicide prevention at T.H. Harris Technical College, will discuss signs of suicidal thoughts and how to respond appropriately. Cost: $5, nonresidents. Registration is required.

Book Review A Red Bird Christmas

Guest Speaker: Maredia Bowdon

Tuesday, Dec. 22, 3:30 p.m.

Chapel

As Christians celebrate the birth of the Christ Child, Maredia Bowdon brings a program to The Oaks unlike any she has presented before. In her review of “A Red Bird Christmas” by Fannie Flagg, Bowdon shares the story of Oswald T. Campbell, a lost soul who leaves the cold of a Chicago winter to spend what he believes will be his last Christmas in the town of Lost River. It is a story of kindness, redemption and miracles, Cost: $5, nonresidents. Registration is required.

Registration is required for all seminars and events at The Oaks.