More than ever before, we are becoming active participants in maintaining our own health. Access to high quality information is a growing concern for many in our community who are faced with important decisions regarding their own health, or the good health of their families. Sansum Clinic offers more than 300 health education classes and seminars that serve more than 10,000 people each year. The programs are designed and conducted by Sansum Clinic's board-certified physicians, registered dietitians, registered nurses, certified diabetes educators, physical therapists and other specialized professionals. Many programs are free of charge and are open to all members of our community.
The Health Education Department participates in many groups and activities with the goal of improving the health of the community, including the Adult and Aging Task Force, Cancer Prevention Fair, Coalition for Community Wellness, Community Action Commission Health Advisory Committee, Gold Coast Collaborative for Nutrition and Fitness, Lompoc Valley Community Health Improvement Project, Partners for Fit Youth and Senior Expo. In addition, we work closely with many non-profits including Alzheimer's Association, Braille Institute, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP) and YMCA.
Health Education Program Descriptions
Advance Directives: Start the Conversation
What is an advance directive? Do I need one? An advance directive gives you control over medical decisions that will be made if you ever become seriously ill or injured. It makes sense for every adult to have one. Experts from the Alliance for Living and Dying Well will help you to:
Learn how you can make sure your doctors and family know your wishes.
Choose someone to speak for you if you are ever unable to speak for yourself.
Receive a free copy of Five Wishes, a legal advance directive form.
Get pointers on having a conversation about your wishes with your family so they are not left to guess what you would want.
Asthma Education Asthma Education is a key element in helping patients and their families manage asthma effectively. A patient armed with the knowledge, skills and attitudes needed for good asthma care and control is better prepared to make good decisions about living with asthma. The goal of asthma education is to improve quality of life by providing training on device and medication use, a defined and written asthma control plan as well as a clear understanding of the asthma condition. For more information or to make an appointment with our Certified Asthma Educator please call 805-681-7635 (Santa Barbara) or 805-681-8700 (Lompoc).
Back Wellness Our Physical Therapist will help you learn ways to have less pain by making simple changes to your daily activities and learning what to do when you have sudden or severe back pain. You will practice simple low back exercises to improve flexibility and core strength that will help you to feel better. Join us to learn effective ways to manage your back pain. Open to the community. Click here for schedule and registration.
Bariatric Surgery Orientation If you are 80 pounds or more overweight and have been unsuccessful with other weight-loss alternatives, you owe it to yourself to find out about innovative new treatments. Gastric Bypass and Lap-Band surgery have proven to be safe and effective treatments for severe obesity. Meet Dr. Marc Zerey at an informative seminar on weight-loss surgery. Free of charge and open to the community. Click here for schedule and registration.
Bariatric Surgery Support Group The road to recovery after weight loss surgery is long and challenging. If you have had this surgery and are a patient of Marc Zerey, MD, join our monthly support group and you will not be alone in this journey. Our Registered Dietitian facilitates group discussion on nutrition, weight goals, behavior modification, life after surgery, vitamins and minerals, calcium and bone health, stress, coping skills and exercise. We review adjustments and the transition for you and your family and friends. These group meetings are a key to your long term success. Click here for schedule and registration.
Coumadin & Warfarin: What You Need to Know for Best Health Results Do you have concerns or questions about your anti-coagulation medication? If so, our anti-coagulation team has the answers! You will learn:
Why regular blood testing is necessary.
Why food intake impacts blood test results.
Why it's so important to monitor over-the-counter medications.
CPR CPR is easy to learn and the skills you acquire may help you to save the life of a family member or friend. For classes available in the community please call 805-692-6420.
Diabetes Blood Sugar Control
Attend this program to learn how blood sugar monitoring helps you manage your diabetes and improve blood sugar. You will learn to use your meter, when to test, your blood sugar goals, and what to do when blood sugar is too high or too low. Please bring your blood sugar monitor to class. Open to the community. Click here for schedule and registration. Click here for additional information.
This two-part program is an excellent update for all people with diabetes and a must for anyone newly diagnosed. Class discusses who is at risk for diabetes, physiology of diabetes, what lab results mean, how to lower blood sugar, what happens when diabetes is out of control, benefits of exercise, how food affects blood sugar and health, how to use food labels, carbohydrate counting, eating well away from home and guidelines for alcoholic drinks. Available in English and Spanish. Open to the community. Click here for schedule and registration.Click here for additional information.
Healthy Family Home Healthy Family Home is a program co-sponsored by Sansum Clinic and the YMCA for children ages 7 - 12 and their families. The program helps families to focus on health, well-being and fitness while having fun. Open to the community. For more information and registration please call the YMCA, 805-687-7720
Hip or Knee Replacement Seminar Are you having Hip or Knee Replacement Surgery? If so, this class is for you! Our Orthopedic Nurse and Physical Therapist will help you learn:
How to prepare before surgery for the best results
Exercises that will speed recovery and get you moving sooner
What will occur on the day of surgery and in the hospital
How to make a smooth transition back to home
About living with and caring for your new hip or knee
Do you use insulin to manage diabetes or want to know more about it? If yes, join this monthly support group facilitated by our Certified Diabetes Educator. Various discussion topics include new technology for diabetes, exercise while using insulin, nutrition and coping strategies. Free of charge and open to the community. Click here for schedule and registration.
Lymphedema Education Lymphedema is a chronic condition in which excess lymph fluid collects in the tissues and causes swelling (edema), most commonly in the arms and legs. This can happen following surgery or radiation to the lymph nodes. Learn what you can do to reduce your risk of developing Lymphedema. Free of charge and open to the community. Click here for schedule and registration.
Preparing for Medicare Part D Open Enrollment? HICAP can help! HICAP, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program, provides free, unbiased information about Medicare. No sales involved. Experts from HICAP will help you to:
Neck & Posture Wellness Our Physical Therapist will help you learn ways to have less pain. You will practice simple exercises to improve neck and upper back flexibility, as well as trunk/core strength. You will participate in 5 flexibility measurements to determine which exercises will be the most beneficial for you. Join us to learn effective ways to manage your neck pain. Open to the community. Click here for schedule and registration.
Nutrition Navigator
Our Registered Dietitian leads a monthly discussion for people interested in food, health & longevity. Join this group to:
Discuss a variety of popular nutrition topics
Clarify confusion about food
Learn ways to keep blood sugar, cholesterol and weight in a healthy range
Meet others with an interest in eating for health and vitality
Pre-Diabetes Do you have pre-diabetes or is your blood sugar a little high? This is your chance to prevent diabetes and also heart disease with simple lifestyle changes. Join this class to learn how you can help yourself. Our Registered Dietitian will help you to discover:
The meaning of your lab tests and healthy blood sugar goals
How to balance your meals to decrease blood sugar
Factors you can change to lower your risk and lose weight if necessary.
Stop Smoking Help Congratulations on your decision to quit smoking. There are many resources to help you. Our Health Resource Center can provide you with tips to make quitting easier and resources for help on the internet or over the phone. For classes in the community and nicotine replacement information please contact the Tobacco Prevention Program in Santa Barbara at 805-681-5407 or in Santa Maria at 805-346-7275.
Walk & Train with Physical Therapist This program is for mature adults who are beginning or intermediate walkers. The Health Educator and Physical Therapist will help you with:
Improving endurance as we walk
Increasing neuromuscular efficiency
Agility training
Light toning and stretching exercises
Learning about a new health topic each week
Building confidence in doing the activities of daily living
Please bring a bottle of water, dress for activity, and be ready to meet great people! Class meets rain or shine. Free of charge and open to the community. Click here for schedule and registration.
Weight Management Strategies Attend this program to learn choices and habits that lead to successful weight management in a supportive, small group setting. Our Registered Dietician will help you:
Choose healthy foods for every day eating
Incorporate activity into your lifestyle
Set realistic goals and separate fads from reliable nutrition information
