Proven Results

Identifying risk factors and taking steps to prevent them is the key to protecting yourself against cancer. Early detection through appropriate screenings is the next best line of defense.

We offer many special screenings and prevention initiatives, including:

• Family Risk Assessment for Breast and Prostate Cancers
• Lung Cancer Susceptibility Study
• Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Detection
• Cancer Genetic Risk Assessment
• Breast Cancer Prevention Study (STAR)
• Prostate Cancer Prevention Study
• Cancer Prevention and Detection
• Free Prostate Cancer Screening (September)
• Free Skin Cancer Screening (May)
• Low Cost Breast and Cervical Screening

One of the best ways to control or prevent heart disease is to monitor your body for warning signs and to make sure you are eating an appropriate diet. PinnacleHealth Heart & Vascular Institute and the Learning Institute offer a number of community wellness and education programs to improve health and quality of life in our community.

CPR Classes
Learn single-rescuer CPR and how to save a choking victim (there is a fee for this class). Call (717) 782-4645.

Cardiac Phone Line
Telephone consultation for NON-EMERGENCY cardiac health questions by a nurse. Call (717) 221-6264.

Cardiac Rehabilitation
A program to help heart patients achieve their optimal level of living after treatment for heart disease. Call (717) 782-2377.

Cholesterol Screenings
Screenings can be arranged for organizations or businesses through Community and Corporate Wellness. They can be combined with either blood pressure and/or blood glucose screenings. Call (717) 231-8900.

Congestive Heart Failure Clinic
A program to help patients manage their congestive heart failure. Call (717) 231-8445.

Cooking and Shopping
Knowing what to shop for in the grocery store, and how best to prepare those foods, are important ways to eat heart-healthy meals. Join us for fun and informative Be Smart-Shop Right Shopping Tours and Be Smart-Cook Right Cooking Classes:

Be Smart-Shop Right Grocery Shopping Tours
Grocery shopping tours at area food stores led by registered dietitians and designed to teach you how to shop wisely for heart-healthy eating. All classes begin at 6:00 p.m. The cost is $10/person (minimum class size is 10 people). Call toll-free 1-800-872-6000 to register.

Be Smart-Cook Right Cooking Classes
Classes that teach you heart-healthy food preparation. Call toll-free 1-800-872-6000 (there is a fee for these classes).

Diabetes Education
A special course on living with diabetes, Making the Pieces Fit (there is a fee for this class). Call (717) 782-2552 or (717) 221-6257.

Mall Walking Program
A non-structured walking program with monthly blood pressure checkups to improve cardiovascular health. Call (717) 221-6264.

Nutrition Counseling
Information on diet and healthy eating habits. Call (717) 221-6258 or (717) 782-2704 (there is a fee for this service).

Stroke Education and Screening
Participants will learn what a stroke is, risk factors, warning signs and emergency care. Available for organizations only, not individual screenings. Call (717) 221-6250.

The birth of your baby is one of the most treasured experiences in life. To help families prepare for this meaningful event, PinnacleHealth offers a comprehensive childbirth and parenting education program. Combining the expertise of healthcare professionals at PinnacleHealth Hospitals, all classes are taught by certified instructors at a variety of times and locations for your convenience.

Our classes help you take responsibility for your health and the health of your child. As we learn about your expectations and needs, you will learn about important medical decisions and measures that will make your child's birth a rewarding experience.

Classes Available:

Preparing for Birth

• Prepared Childbirth
• Lamaze® Childbirth
• Weekend Lamaze® Seminar
• Weekend Childbirth Seminar
• Childbirth Refresher
• Cesarean Birth
• Twins, Triplets & More?
• Birth Center Tours

• Adoptive Parenting
• Childbirth Preparation
• Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)

• Baby Care Basics
• Breastfeeding Basics
• First Aid for Parents
• Infant/Child CPR
• Tiny Touch/lnfant Massage
• The Happiest Baby

• Siblings: A New Baby At Our House - Babies and Big Kids
• Siblings: A New Baby At Our House - Babies and Toddlers
• Becoming a Grandparent

• Doula Services
• The Parent Review - weekly childbirth preparation and parenting e-mail newsletter
• Mom and Child Groups
• WomanCare Resource Center
• Online Childbirth Program (coming soon in 2010!) 

Bachelor's and Master's Programs
PinnacleHealth provides educational opportunities including bachelor's and master's programs through the affiliations below. Classes and programs are held on our Community and Polyclinic Campuses.

Affiliations include:

York College
Registered nurses can obtain a B.S.N. degree through satellite broadcasts. There is a charge for this program. Call (717) 782-4155. Classes are held in the Professional Building, 4th Floor (PH) (717) 231-8410.

Allentown College of St. Frances DeSales
Persons with an undergraduate degree can earn an M.B.A. in healthcare administration. Classes held at Harrisburg Hospital. There is a charge for this program. Call (717) 231-8410.

St. Francis College, IL
Persons with an undergraduate degree can earn an M.H.A. through programs offered at one of the area hospitals. There is a charge for this program. Call (717) 782-2136. Contact: Howard Robertson, Director, Education and Research Healthcare.

Shadow Program
This free program is for high school students considering a career in the healthcare field. Students are able to observe the responsibilities and duties of hospital personnel, such as medical technologists, physical therapists, nurses and radiologic technologists. Call (717) 221-6253. To fill out a request to shadow someone please fill out the form on the right. Return forms by fax to (717) 221-6266.

Nursing Education Programs
Educational opportunities available for professional and allied healthcare providers within the central Pennsylvania area. Programs cross a wide range of clinical areas and have been developed by course coordinators and faculty with advanced education, expertise and competency in the respective clinical area. Specialty courses have been approved by the appropriate accrediting agencies, ensuring that the courses are based on nationally recognized educational standards. There is a charge for this program. Call (717) 782-2131. The class is held in the Professional Building, 4th Floor (PH).

School Nurse Update Seminar
This class is offered to area school health nurses and covers current practice issues. Update is based on an annual assessment. There is a charge. Call (717) 221-6253 for more information.

Exploring Careers in Diagnostic Medical Sonography
Contact Harrisburg Area Community College Health Careers at 1-800-222-4222, extension 1988 or click here and select "health careers" for more information online.

Exploring Radiography as a Career
Contact Harrisburg Area Community College Health Careers at 1-800-222-4222, extension 1988 or click here and select "health careers" for more information online. For a complete listing of accredited schools nationwide, click here.

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)

Our courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation are taught in accordance with the American Heart Association curriculum for emergency cardiac care. Courses include Heartsaver (adult CPR and obstructed airway techniques), Infant/Child CPR (includes infant child safety) and Basic Life Support for the Healthcare Provider. Course completion cards are issued with a two-year renewal date.

First Aid for Parents

Learn basic first aid skills and obstructed airway procedures for infants and children.

For details or to register, call (717) 221-6250.

Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS)
These programs are designed for nurses, physicians, EMS providers and other healthcare personnel. Both courses are offered for inexperienced providers (two days) and experienced providers (one day). Course completion cards will be issued with a two year renewal date.

Nurse Aide Course
This three-week (118-hour) course is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education and serves as a base level of training for the roles of nurse aide. Graduates are eligible to take the Pennsylvania State Competency Exam for enrollment in the nurse aide registry. Call (717) 782-4641.

• Basic Dysrhythmia (eight hours)
• Intermediate Dysrhythmia (four days)
• Advanced Dysrhythmia Course (three days), Phase I (four days)
• Critical Care Course (10 days)
• Advanced CCRN preparation course (in development)
• Advanced Cardiovascular Course (eight days)

Healthy Back
This program offers exercise guidelines, ergonomics and tips to prevent back injuries. Call (717) 221-6262.

Incontinence Therapy
Incontinence means the involuntary loss of bladder or bowel control. Help may be available through electromography(EMG) biofeedback and muscle re-education. EMG is used to test, trace and identify electrical energy in muscles. Call (717) 234-7719.

Lymphedema Therapy
Lymphedema is a swelling of a body part, most often in an extremity, caused by the abnormal accumulation of lymph fluid. Help is available through therapy consisting of compression, massage and exercise. Call (717) 231-8130 for more information.

A breath of fresh air is waiting for you!

And the truth is, there has never been a better time to quit using tobacco! You'll live longer and healthier, have more energy, breathe easier and lower your risk of heart attack, stroke and cancer.

Now's the time to take control of a life worth living, and PinnacleHealth can help. See the links below for information on how to quit using tobacco. We also have a trained tobacco cessation educator to help you quit through a free tobacco cessation program.

For 24/7 tobacco cessation assistance, contact the free Pennsylvania QuitLine at 1-800 QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669).