THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, May 5, 1995 TAG: 9505030162
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 08 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JENNIFER C. O'DONNELL, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 67 lines
A new women's health center opened in Chesapeake last week is the first facility operated by Sentara Health System dedicated exclusively to women's health.
The center was dedicated last Friday in a ceremony attended by Chesapeake Mayor William E. Ward and Virginia Beach Mayor Meyera E. Oberndorf.
``We think this center will be a great resource for the region,'' said Shirley Francisco, vice president of women's services for Sentara. ``We're very proud of the center and also to be a part of the Chesapeake community.''
Sentara's Women's Health Source, located at 801 Volvo Parkway in Greenbrier, offers numerous services for women, including a library stocked with videos and reference material that can be loaned out, community health education classes for expectant and new parents, support groups on endometriosis, menopause and perinatal bereavement and lactation services.
In a speech before the ceremony, Ward praised Sentara for choosing Chesapeake as the center's location.
``Great Bridge is a fast-growing community and the city's population is growing at about 3% per year. Many of our new residents are of child bearing age and because of the interstate, we're easily accessible to residents from other areas.''
The center is approximately 3,000 square feet, which includes a library, several offices, small and large conference rooms and a massage therapy room.
Sentara officials say they wanted the complex to be comfortable and non-threatening for the patients.
``We didn't want to turn people off or intimidate them,'' said Jennifer Hill, a nurse and lactation specialist for Sentara. ``We wanted comfortable cubbies and rooms for people to just sit and talk or read.''
Holly Puritz, a gynecologist with The Group for Women, said the center's benefits will not be limited to women.
``Women have a great deal of interest in health care for themselves and their families. They can use resources such as this to help educate themselves.''
According to David Bernd, president and chief executive officer of Sentara Health System, the health plan has already received a response from the community about the center.
``We've had more than 100 calls about the resources here. We think the location of the center will draw a big response,'' said Bernd.
Sentara Women's Health Center will conduct a public open house May 20. Employees of the facility will offer tours as well as health screenings and demonstrations. Information on women's health issues, such as menopause, osteoporosis, pregnancy and breast self-exams, will also be available, and experts on health, nutrition, exercise and stress-reduction will be present to answer questions.
Sentara's mobile mammography unit will be there for scheduled exams. The open house will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
More information and mammogram appointments are available by calling 436-3622. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by STEVE MORRISETTE
Opening the women's health center were, from left: Mayor William E.
Ward; Shirley Francisco, vice president of women's services for
Sentara; Dr. Holly Puritz and David Bernd, president and chief
executive officer of Sentara Health System.
by CNB