Cedars-Sinai's Patient Support Groups: Providing Service to Our Community
After experiencing a life-changing event, whether medical or psychological, the pathway toward healing is not always easy. At Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, we provide comprehensive support groups that focus on assisting patients with life's changes and adjustments. Our staff is committed to treating patients with compassion, helping them to achieve their goals and providing education and support for individuals and their families.
Cancer
Groups designed to address the emotional and cultural needs of cancer patients and survivors
| Brain Tumor Support Group |
| RSVP a week prior to the meeting. Light refreshments will be served. |
| Last Wednesday of Every Month - 6 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Jennice Vilhauer, PhD - Phone: (310) 423-4758 |
| 8631 W. Third Street, East Tower, Across from Suite 800 |
| Colon Cancer Support Group |
| First Wednesday of each month - 3 p.m. |
| Contact: Ellen Creamer, LCSW |
| Phone: (310) 423-1582 |
| Breast Cancer Support Group |
| Every Wednesday - 3 p.m. |
| Contact: Barbara Cowen, LCSW |
| Phone: (310) 423-2749 |
| Lung Cancer Support Group |
| First Monday of each month - 4 p.m. |
| Contact: Donato Kusuanco |
| Phone: (310) 423-1850 |
| Prostate Cancer Educational Support Group |
| Meets Quarterly - July 18 and October 17, 2007 |
| 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Harvey Morse Conference Center |
| Phone: (310) 423-7600 |
| Website: www.cedars-sinai.edu/prostate |
Early Childhood
| First Weeks for New Moms and Babies |
| Wednesdays - Call for time |
| Contact: Marilee Harthing, RN, MST |
| Phone: (310) 423-1510 |
| NICU Graduates Support Group |
| Wednesdays - Call for time |
| Contact: Marilee Harthing, RN, MST |
| Phone: (310) 423-1510 |
| Regional Center Vendor Support Group |
| Tuesdays - Call for time |
| Contact: Marilee Harthing, RN, MST |
| Phone: (310) 423-1510 |
| Parent and Toddler Support Group |
| Tuesdays and Wednesdays - Call for times |
| Contact: Marilee Harthing, RN, MST |
| Phone: (310) 423-1510 |
| Postpartum Depression Support Group |
| Call for day and time |
| Contact: Marilee Harthing, RN, MST |
| Phone: (310) 423-1510 |
Heart
Support groups that educate cardiac patients
| Cardiac Support Group* |
| Wednesdays - 2:30 p.m. |
| Contact: Jeffrey Tirengel, PsyD, MPH |
| Phone: (310) 423-9660 |
| Heart Families |
| (A group in which trained volunteers visit cardiology patients to offer education and support) |
| First Monday of every other month - 8:30 a.m. |
| Contact: Barbara Cowen, LCSW |
| Phone: (310) 423-2749 |
Parkinson's
Educational groups for patients and families
| American Parkinson Disease Association Support Group |
| First Thursday of each month - 2 p.m. |
| Thalians Mental Health Center, 2nd Floor Cafeteria |
| Contact: Linda O'Connor, LCSW |
| Phone: (310) 423-0837 |
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Support Group
Monthly support group for those diagnosed with PCOS.
Second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.
Contact: Sharlout Moradian
Phone: (310) 423-9964
Psychology and Mental Health
| Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon and Alateen Support Groups |
| (Self-help groups that provide ongoing support to individuals coping with addiction issues of their own or in their families) |
| Days, times and locations vary |
| Contact: Laurie Rissen |
| Phone: (310) 423-3439 |
| Compassionate Friends |
| (Self-help group for parents who are grieving the loss of a baby) |
| Second Tuesday of each month - 7:30 p.m. |
| Contact: Laurie Rissen |
| Phone: (310) 423-3439 |
Stroke
| "Yes I Can" Stroke Support Group (Ages 18+) |
| Second Thursday of each month - 2 to 4 p.m. |
| Contact: Terri Lukomski, CTRS |
| Always call to confirm attendance and location |
| Phone: (310) 423-6358 |
| "One Stroke Ahead" Young Persons' Stroke Support Group (Ages 18 to 55) |
| Third Thursday of each month - 6:30 to 8 p.m. |
| Contact: Terri Lukomski, CTRS |
| Always call to confirm attendance and location |
| Phone: (310) 423-6358 |
Weight Loss Surgery Support Groups
Groups designed to aid those who have had weight loss surgery
| Weight Loss Surgery Support Group I |
| (For those contemplating surgery and those who underwent surgery within the past year) |
| Second and fourth Tuesday of each month - 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Location: Thalians Mental Health Center, Room 211 West |
| Contact: Center for Weight Loss Surgery |
| Phone: (310) 423-8350 |
| Weight Loss Surgery Support Group II |
| (For those who underwent surgery more than one year ago) |
| First and third Tuesdays of each month - 7 to 8 p.m. |
| Location: Thalians Mental Health Center, Room 135 West |
| Contact: Center for Weight Loss Surgery |
| Phone: (310) 423-8350 |
Women's Health
Groups that provide support and education for families of newborn babies
| Good Beginnings |
| (Educational meetings for parents with premature babies) |
| Tuesdays - 7 p.m. |
| Contact: Dorothy Williams |
| Phone: (310) 423-6389 |
| Breastfeeding Support Group |
| (New mothers and moms that cannot breastfeed) |
| Wednesdays - 1:30 p.m. |
| Contact: Marilee Harthing, RN, MST |
| Phone: (310) 423-1510 |
Other
| Brain Aneurysm Support Group |
| For patients with brain aneurysms and their families. RSVP a week prior to the meeting. Light refreshments will be served. |
| Second Wednesday of Every Month - 6 to 7:30 p.m. |
| Jennice Vilhauer, PhD - (310) 423-4758 |
| 8631 W. Third Street, East Tower, Across from Suite 800 |
| ESCAPE: Education and Supportive Care for Pancreatitis |
| (Provides support for pancreatic diseases patients and their loved ones) |
| Third Tuesday of each month - 6:30 p.m. |
| Contact: Michelle Justis, RN |
| Phone: (310) 423-6455 |
| Macular Degeneration Support Group |
| Fourth Monday of each month - Noon |
| Contact: Judith Delgado |
| Phone: (310) 423-6455 |
| Physical Disability Life Adjustment Group |
| (Facilitated psychotherapeutic group with weekly group discussions that include rehabilitation issues and building inner strength) |
| Every other Tuesday - 6:30 p.m. |
| Contact: Michael Glewski, PhD |
| Phone: (310) 423-2715 |
| Pituitary Support Group |
| (Aims to create an environment of support to enhance emotional and physical well being) |
| Monthly on Mondays - Times vary |
| Contact: Rosa Lopez, RN |
| Phone: (310) 423-3395 |
| Visualization and Art Therapy Group |
| (Helps with stress management by looking inward to discover and strengthen coping skills) |
| Tuesdays - 10 a.m. |
| Contact: Lynn Weiss |
| Phone: (310) 423-0638 |
*This support group requires a minimal fee.
