MMC offers support groups, tours during Feb.

Monmouth Medical Center (MMC), 300 Second Ave., Long Branch, will host a meeting of Journey of Hope bereavement support group 6-8 p.m. Feb. 2. The group offers support for spouses/partners who lost their loved one to a brain tumor. For more information, call Wendy at 732-972- 3451

“Introduction to Energy Medicine” will be presented 1 p.m. Feb. 3 at SCAN Learning Center, Monmouth Mall, Eatontown; and 7 p.m. at Tatum Park Activity Center, Red Hill Road, Middletown. MMC special program instructor Angela Brathovde will lead the program for novice holistic information seekers interested in learning about what energy medicine is. To register for the SCAN program, call 732-542-1326; or 732-842-4000, ext. 1, for the Tatum Park program.

The spousal bereavement support group will meet 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 3, 10, 17 and 24; and March 3 and 10. To register, contact Christine at 732-923-6463 or [email protected]. Pediatric preoperative tours for all pediatric patients having a surgical procedure at MMC’s Cranmer Ambulatory Surgery Center will be 3-4 p.m. Feb. 1, 11, 18 and 25. Tours are designed to reduce anxiety by giving children a hands-on experience with real medical equipment and visitation to areas they will encounter on the day of surgery. To register, call 732-923-6525. The ovarian cancer support group will meet 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Feb. 9. The group is for women diagnosed with cervical, ovarian, endometrial or uterine cancer. To register, call Leslie at 732-923-6575.

The Susan G. Komen “Reach Out for Life” Initiative will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 10 and 24. The initiative is open to female Monmouth County residents age 40 or older who are uninsured or underinsured and meet income eligibility requirements for a free mammogram. A representative will provide information and answer questions about the program. For more information, call Laura at 732-923-6509,

“Drumming is Not Hum-Drum” will be 7-9 p.m. Feb. 11 at Tatum Park. The program will teach about the power of sound and vibration for healthful well-being. Attendees may bring a drum or rattle if they wish. To register, call 732-842-4000, ext. 1. The cleft palate support group for parents of children with cleft palates or cleft lips will meet Feb. 11. For time, location or to register, call Helene at 732-923-7653. Tours of the Eisenberg Family Center will be 1:30 p.m. Feb. 14. The center for expectant mothers features a labor, delivery and recovery unit, and postpartum rooms. Registration is required.

The diabetes support group will meet 3-4 p.m. Feb. 18. To register, call 732-923-5025. The Alzheimer’s caregiver support group will meet 2-3:30 p.m. Feb. 23. To register, call Robin at 732-923-7560. A Community Health Fair: American Heart Month, will be 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Feb. 24. It will feature information about heart disease, stroke, heart healthy diets and exercise and Monmouth Medical Center’s cardiology programs and services. Free screenings will be available.

“Health Information on the Internet: The Good, The Bad, The ‘Don’t Go There’” will be 1 p.m. Feb. 24 at SCAN Learning Center. MMC’s director of Alschul Medical Library, Frederic C. Pachman, will teach how to access reliable, trustworthy and accurate information from the Internet. To register, call 732-542-1326.

The Kogan Celiac Center support group will meet 6:30-8 p.m. Feb. 24. Melissa Pickell, registered dietitian, will discuss her book, “Melissa’s Marvelous Meatless Meals,” and offer recipes that are vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy free and have no refined sugar. To register, call 888-724-7123, and press option four.A

baby fair will be 1-3 p.m. Feb. 28. Health care professionals will be on hand to discuss childbirth, maternity choices or any other topics. There will be a tour of the Eisenberg Family Center and nursery, refreshments and free gifts. To register, call 888-724-7123, and press prompt four.

All the above are at MMC, unless noted. To register or for more information, call 732- 923-6990, unless otherwise noted.