PATIENTS & VISITORS

In this Section

You are here

Home > Patients & Visitors > Support Groups

Support Groups

Community Birth Loss Support Group

The UMass Memorial Community Birth Loss Support Group provides emotional support to parents who have experienced the loss of a child through miscarriage, stillbirth or newborn death. This support group also:

  • Assists parents in understanding the grieving process and fosters emotional insight into coping with the loss of their child
  • Creates a safe, supportive forum in which parents can share their thoughts and feelings with others who have had a similar experience
  • Provides acceptance and creates a framework within which parents can integrate their loss and learn that there is hope, and there is a future

This group is open to all, no matter where you live or where your baby was delivered.

The group is held at Notre Dame Health Care in Worcester, and is located in the du Lac Assisted Living Program. Parking is free and participants are asked to check in with the receptionist located in the main lobby.

Sponsor: Community Birth Loss Support Group Collaborative

Meeting Time:

Third Thursday of each month, 6 to 7:30 pm

Hospital:
UMass Memorial Medical Center
Notre Dame Health Care
555 Plantation Street
Worcester, MA 01605
Call:

Jillian Santom, LICSW, 508-334-1298
Melissa Varrecchia, LCSW, 508-334-5715

Gardner

Diabetes Support Group meets monthly (September to June) at Heywood Hospital. A speaker presents a specific diabetes topic at each meeting.

Meeting Time:

Mondays, 6 to 7 pm, and Wednesdays, 2 to 3 pm.

Hospital:
UMass Memorial Medical Center
TBD
Gardner, MA 01440
Call:

Information: Call Doug Miller, RN, CDE, at 978-630-5719.

Gastrointestinal Support Group

Members of the Gastrointestinal Support Group share information about issues related to gastrointestinal cancers that include colorectal, esophageal, gastric and pancreatic cancers. Friends and family members are welcome.

Directions

Meeting Time:

Thank you for your interest. We are currently revising the meeting schedule for this group. Stay tuned for updated information. 

Hospital:
UMass Memorial Medical Center
UMass Memorial Medical Center - Ambulatory Care Center, 6th Floor Healing Garden (behind elevators)
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655

Inflammatory Bowel Disease Support Group

UMass Memorial Children’s Medical Center offers two support groups for patients living with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), along with their parents and siblings. IBD is a chronic illness affecting the digestive system. Symptoms of the disease can be especially challenging for children and their families, leading to children with IBD being at a higher risk of developing psychosocial issues. Our groups are supported by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, and are led by health care professionals from the Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology. In addition to offering moral support from peers and caregivers, our IBD support groups participate in healthy cooking classes and discussions on transitioning to college, fundraisers, and volunteer efforts.

Support groups are held:

First Thursday of every month
5 pm
Tri-River Family Health Center
281 East Hartford Avenue
Uxbridge, MA 01569

Third Thursday of every month
6:30 pm
UMass Memorial Medical Center – University Campus
Benedict Building – Stress Reduction Room, 2nd Floor
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655

 

 

Meeting Time:
Hospital:
UMass Memorial Medical Center
Tri-River Family Health Center, 281 East Hartford Avenue, Uxbridge, MA
UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus, 55 Lake Avenue North,
Worcester, MA 01655
Call:

Lisa Fournier: 508-395-2278
Kathleen Merrill, RN: 774-441-7806

Integrative Medicine Oncology Initiative

A mind/body medicine group that meets once weekly for an hour and a half to practice complimentary care therapies including tai chi, restorative yoga, guided imagery and deep breathing exercises. Patients, family members and friends, cancer center staff as well as interested medical students are welcome.

Directions

Meeting Time:

Thank you for your interest. We are currently revising the meeting schedule for this group. Stay tuned for updated information. 

Hospital:
UMass Memorial Medical Center
UMass Memorial Medical Center - University Campus, Ambulatory Care Center – 5th floor, behind the elevators
55 Lake Avenue North
Worcester, MA 01655

Pages