Terrebonne General Medical Center - TGMC

Educational Services

Terrebonne General Medial Center knows that the more you know about health care, the healthier you and your family will be. Because of that, we are committed to providing our community with various educational and support services like smoking cessation programs, cancer screenings, and information about how to stay healthy. Thank you for your support in these and other community service programs.

Terrebonne General Outreach Center (Located in Southland Mall) – (985) 876-7577

Parenting Classes:

• Mommy and Me–A monthly class designed to offer mother-to-mother support in a fun and positive environment.
• CHADD (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder)–A monthly support group for families of children and adults with attention deficit disorder.
• ESP (Especially for Special Parents)–A monthly parenting series for parents of children ages 5-17 years.

Health And Wellness:

• OutReach Opportunity Club–The club is designed to promote exercising through walking in the Southland Mall. Club members record the laps walked to the OutReach Center staff, who in turn convert the laps to miles for the members.
• Flu Shots are provided during the winter months for a minimal fee and based on availability.
• Educational programs–conducted by members of the TGMC medical staff, employees of the hospital and community advocates to provide helpful information on a variety of topics such as heart disease, neurological conditions and disorders, weight management, wellness topics and healthy lifestyle tips.
• Smoking Cessation classes are offered to provide assistance for those trying to quit smoking.
• CPR training classes are available throughout the year.
• Children and teen programs are conducted on a variety of topics such as: fingerprinting classes, basic and advanced babysitting, nutrition, self-esteem, character building, the adolescent years and safety tips.

Screenings:

Various screenings are conducted monthly and are by appointment only. You must be over the age 18 and there is a minimal fee for some of the services. References will be available for those who need it based on the result of the screening.

Screenings available: Diabetes, Cholesterol, Blood Pressure, Stroke, Glaucoma, Skin Cancer, Asthma and Alcohol

Seniors Programs:

• The Center offers a variety of support groups and programs for seniors. Programs and topics vary each month.
• Identity theft, crime and fraud prevention
• Nutrition and healthy lifestyle tips
• Living with arthritis
• How to select a home health agency

Support Groups:

Support groups are a wonderful way to network and meet new people in similar situations that affect your life. TGMC offers a wide variety of support groups that meet either monthly or quarterly.

• Alzheimer’s Caregivers Support Group
• Diabetes Support Group
• Bosom Buddies–A support group for breast cancer survivors.
• Resolve Through Sharing–For families who have lost a child before or immediately after birth.
• Look Good Feel Better–Makeovers for cancer patients by licensed cosmetologists.
• Multiple Sclerosis Support Group
• Kidney Options–An educational class for persons facing dialysis or possible transplant.

Please call TGMC Outreach for a complete list of services offered, as well as, requested information about a particular service or Speakers’ Bureau topic.

Terrebonne General Medical Center (Marketing Department) – (985) 873-4616

Education & Wellness

• Executive Health Program – call 985-873-3124
• Childbirth education classes – Such as Prepared Childbirth, Breastfeeding, Sibling and Infant Message Classes – call 985-858-7380
• HealthWise Television Show – HTV 10
• Take Care Magazine – A magazine that addresses health care related issues (call to be added to complimentary distribution list)
• TGMC health & wellness content website
• Wellness Program (businesses) – Dir. of Community Services 873-4626
• Health Risk Assessments (businesses) – Dir. of Community Services 873-4626
• Prostate cancer screening
• Breast self exam information

Support Groups

• Parents of hearing impaired children
• In-house rehabilitation patient and caregivers support group
• Camp Bluebird
• Reach to Recovery
• Grief Recovery Group
• Cancer Survivors’ Day – held the first week in June each year to celebrate life and survivorship

Terrebonne General Medical Center & Nicholls State University Cytotechnology School - (985) 850-6299

Nicholls State University awards a Certificate of Completion to students who successfully complete the one-year curriculum in Cytotechnology. This program is a continuous 12-month specialized practice curriculum designed to provide didactic, laboratory, and clinical education necessary to become a certified Cytotechnologist. The program is a joint academic partnership between Nicholls State University and Terrebonne General Medical Center and is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) under recommendation of the Cytotechnology Programs Review Committee of the American Society of Cytopathology. The program will prepare students to diagnose cellular samples under the microscope for early detection of infectious, pre-cancerous, and cancerous diseases. Students will demonstrate the ability to examine samples from the female reproductive tract, breast, lungs, body cavity fluids, and other sites where early cancer detection has a demonstrated effect on morbidity and mortality. The program of study is designed to produce educationally sound and clinically competent cytotechnologists employable in rural and urban health care centers, private laboratories, and research facilities. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the National Registry Examination for cytotechnologists administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology.

Cytotechnology

The Cytotechnologist, working under the direction of a pathologist, detects cellular changes caused by different disease processes. This laboratory specialist prepares cellular samples for examination after special staining techniques and then studies the slides under a microscope for minute abnormalities in the color, size, and shape of cell substances. In many cases these findings are the first warning signs of cancer. Cytotechnologists play in important role the whole aspect of patient care. Admission Students who apply for selective admission to the professional program of study will fall primarily into two categories:

1. Post Baccalaureate
   1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum grade-point average of 2.50 on all under graduate work.
   2. Successfully complete the following undergraduate course requirements as specified by the American Society of Cytopathology, the accrediting agency for cytotechnology education programs:
      1. 20 hours of biology
      2. 8 hours of chemistry
      3. 6 hours of mathematics (algebra, trigonometry)
      4. one course each in: research methodology, medical terminology, management, and histology.
2. Enrolled in the B.S. degree program in Health Sciences (Specialized Practice Concentration-Cytotechnology-AHCT).
   1. Complete all prerequisite (pre-professional) course work.
   2. Earn a grade of C or better in all science course applied toward degree.
   3. A minimum GPS of 2.50.

Due to the nature of cytotechnology education and the requirements placed on education by the national accrediting agency, the academic, laboratory, and clinical experience hours may exceed those expected for credit awarded that course. Enrollment in the program is limited and the program admits only one professional class per year. Class size is limited to four (4) students per year and is governed by the number of faculty and available clinical slots in each of the affiliated laboratories and clinic settings.

For additional information

1. Visit the Nicholls State University Website at http://www.nicholls.edu/ahs/cyto/default.htm
2. Contact the Cytology Department at Terrebonne General at (985) 850-6299.
3. Contact the Department of Allied Health Sciences at Nicholls State University at (985) 876-8855.