Valley Presbyterian Hospital is pleased to announce the launch of VPH Cares, a new community development program consisting of free public health education workshops.

The workshops are designed to educate community residents about five major health issues facing the San Fernando Valley region: diabetes, stroke, childhood obesity, women’s services and healthy aging. Participants will learn how to live healthy lifestyles, minimize chronic health conditions and improve overall health outcomes.

All programs will be held at the hospital in the Health Education Center located at 15107 Vanowen St. Van Nuys, California. Parking is located at our Noble parking structure, at the corner of Vanowen St. and Noble Ave., and our campus parking structure, on Vanowen St. past Sepulveda Blvd. Please see our campus map for reference. We offer free parking for most programs. All programs require advance registration.

Please click on the following links to view each program’s list of classes:

• VPH Cares: Women’s Services
• VPH Cares: Healthy Maturity
• VPH Cares: Diabetes Facts and Fixes
• VPH Cares: Stroke Facts and Fixes
• VPH Cares: Kids on the Move
• VPH Cares: Health & Wellness Fair

We offer a full series of workshops to help mothers and fathers prepare for the happy and safe delivery of a baby. Most seminars can be taken individually, or as a series.

Click here for a printer-friendly version of our maternity brochure.

Childbirth Preparation Series - Learn the latest in labor and delivery comfort measures and other important topics. This course is offered as either a four-class series (weeknights) or a two class series (weekends). Classes must be taken in sequence. Registration is required. This class is recommended before the seventh month of pregnancy.

Program schedule:

Tuesdays 7:00 pm-9:00 pm	Wednesdays 7:00 pm-9:00 pm	Saturdays 10:00 am-2:00 pm
February (5, 12, 19, 26)	January (9, 16, 23, 30)	January (12, 19)
May (7, 14, 21, 28)	February (6, 13, 20, 27)	March (9, 16)
July (9,16, 23, 30)	March (6, 13, 20, 27)	May (11, 18)
October (8, 15, 22, 29)	April (3, 10, 17, 24)	July (13, 20)
November (5, 12, 19, 26)	May (8, 15, 22, 29)	September (7, 14)
	June (5, 12, 19, 26)
	July (10, 17, 24, 31)
	August (7, 14, 21, 28)
	September (4, 11, 18, 25)
	October (9, 16, 23, 30)

Breastfeeding Preparation - Learn basic breastfeeding techniques and where to get help, if needed. We recommend taking this class before your baby is born.

Program schedule: Classes held on Mondays* from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
January 28, March 25, May 29 (*Wednesday), July 29, September 30, November 25

Breastfeeding Support Group - Join our ongoing breastfeeding support group. A breastfeeding specialist will assist you with breastfeeding and address all your questions and concerns. This course is only offered after delivery at VPH.

Program schedule: By appointment. To schedule a time with our breastfeeding specialist, please call the Breastfeeding Help Line: (818) 902-5222.

Baby Shower & Hospital Tour - Meet the maternity staff, learn about hospital resources, and take a hospital tour during a fun, informational celebration.

Program schedule: All hospital baby showers are held on Fridays from 11:00 am until 2:00 pm.
January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10, June 14, July 12, August 9, September 13, October 11, November 8, December 13

Hospital Tour - Learn about the pre-birth programs and services that are available to you and visit the labor, delivery and maternity unit.

Program schedule: All hospital tours are held on Thursdays from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
January 10, February 7, March 7, April 4, May 9, June 6, July 11, August 8, September 12, October 10, November 7, December 12

Baby Beginnings Infant Care - A “Parents-To-Be Survival Guide” to help you navigate your hospital experience as well as the first weeks at home with your new baby. Learn what to expect in the hospital, tips on newborn care, infant safety practices, feeding options, soothing techniques and more.

Program schedule: All classes held from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
January 31, March 27, May 29, July 3, September 25, November 21

Heart Saver CPR - Learn how to care for your loved ones in the event of an emergency. This course teaches adult, child and infant CPR and AED use, as well as how to help a choking adult. There is a $15 fee for materials.

Program schedule: All classes held from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
January 24, February 27, March 20, April 18, May 16, June 26, August 15, September 18, November 27

Senior Exercise Program - Participate in this exercise program, which uses movements created by physical therapists that address pain and fatigue while increasing strength. The group exercise helps reduce pain, decrease joint stiffness, increase flexibility and boost your mood. The class is led by an instructor certified by the Arthritis Foundation and may be taken either standing or sitting.

Click here to view the workshop flyer.

Program schedule: All classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 am until 11:00 am. Participants may join the program at any time.
March (5, 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, 26, 28) and April (2, 4, 9, 11)
May (7, 9, 14, 16, 21, 23, 28, 30) and June (4, 6, 11, 13)
September (10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26) and October (1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17)

The Basics: Memory Loss, Dementia and Alzheimer’s - Learn the facts about memory loss, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease, including information on detection, causes and risk factors, stages of the disease, treatment and much more.

Program schedule: October 20 from 10:00 am until 11:00 am.

Memory Loss & Aging - Learn how memory works, the changes in memory as we age and tips on how to maintain and improve memory.

Program schedule: All classes are held from 10:00 am until 12:00 pm.
English workshop - July 9
Spanish workshop - July 10

Know the 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s - Learn about the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease and the benefits of early detection and early diagnosis.

Program schedule: All classes held from 10:00 am until 11:00 am.
English workshop - November 6
Spanish workshop - November 7

What’s on Your Plate? Taking Steps to a Healthier You - Attend our exciting new seminar with lessons on eating healthy, healthy recipes, and tips for staying active. The curriculum is developed and presented by the Network for Healthy California. Participants will get a chance to cook their own healthy recipes and take home a free healthy cookbook.

Click here to view the workshop flyer .

Program schedule:
English workshops— Thursday, May 16 from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm & Thursday, September 19 from 6:00 pm until 7:30 pm.

Spanish workshops—Wednesday, March 27 from 10:00 am until 11:30 am & Wednesday, July 10 from 10:00 am until 11:30 am.

Diabetes Education Class - Join our diabetes workshop to learn what the condition involves including symptoms, side effects and how to self manage blood sugar in the healthiest way. Instruction includes tips on healthy eating, the benefits of physical activity, stress management, medications that may be prescribed and what to discuss with your doctor. This program is lead by certified diabetes educator and nurse specialist, Sandra Pieschel. Please call (818) 902-2982 to register.

Program schedule:
English classes—All classes are held on Tuesdays from 3:00 pm until 5:00 pm. February 19, March 19, April 16, May 14, June 11, July 9, August 20, September 17, November 12, December 10

Spanish classes—All classes are held on Thursdays from 9:00 am until 11:00 am. February 21, April 25, June 27, August 22, November 14

Group and individual classes may also be arranged according to schedule needs.

Stroke Facts and Fixes - Hear from a panel of physicians and health care experts on how to prevent stroke. Free health screenings for blood pressure, glucose/cholesterol and carotid artery will be offered to all attendees. Clinical experts will be on hand to help you understand your screening.

Program schedule: To be announced.

Program under development. Please check back for updates.

Annual Health & Wellness Fair: - Attend our annual health and wellness fair where you’ll receive free health screenings and information about community awareness programs and services. All information will be available in English and Spanish.

The health fair offers free flu vaccinations, carotid artery screenings, cholesterol, glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure screenings, and body fat (BMI) analyses.

Attendees also enjoy healthy cooking demonstrations and tips from clinical dieticians on living a healthy lifestyle. Representatives from VPH are on hand to distribute information on community health along with representatives from several health services community organizations.

Program schedule: Saturday, September 28 from 10:00 am until 1:00 pm.