fitness & health
ness of caring for sick people, keeping people
away from the hospital is an important priority
as well. To that end, we want to engage the community in staying healthy.���
Emerson���s Health and Wellness Center cur-
in the business of caring
���Although we may be primarilyaway from the hospital is
for sick people, keeping people
an important priority as well. To that end, we want to
engage the community in staying healthy.
���
CHRISTINE GALLERY, Vice President for Planning and Marketing Development at Emerson Hospital
rently offers over one hundred classes to meet
this mission, ranging from exercise classes tailored to people recov-
veritable toolbox of ways to improve their odds of a good outcome.
ering from hip or knee replacement surgery to nutrition classes for
Susan, a 64-year-old woman from Concord who asked to be iden-
those who have undergone weight reduction surgery to a dance
tified only by first name, is a firm devotee of what she learned in
class for patients being treated for Parkinson���s disease. Programs
MacDonnell���s class. ���Working with Lisa, I learned how to use
are available to the community at large, not just Emerson patients.
relaxation and visualization as I prepared for surgery,��� Susan says.
The center offers a variety of classes, including those in tai chi, self-
���I learned to prepare myself to wake up from the procedure feeling
defense, and meditation.
comfortable and positive. I used these techniques very successfully
Among the Emerson Center���s most well-received offerings is
when I had a hysterectomy, but the same approaches were useful
one called ���Prepare for Surgery; Heal Faster.��� Taught by Lisa
to me later when I went through cancer treatment. These methods
MacDonnell, the course gives patients who are facing surgery a
regarding healing, relaxing, and paving the way to a positive out-
38 ��� north bridge magazine
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SPRING/SUMMER 2013