Thursday, December 31, 2009

BHBB Hosts Regional Forum on CHD

Broken Hearts of the Big Bend will host a Regional Forum on Congenital Heart Center on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2010, in the heart of downtown Tallahassee. The Forum is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Download the Registration Form.

We believe any heart family from anywhere will benefit from this exceptional event. We extend a special invitation to heart families in Tallahassee, Pensacola, Jacksonville and Gainesville. Our Regional Forum features pediatric heart experts from the University of Florida Congenital Heart Center in Gainesville. Pediatric heart experts from Pensacola and Jacksonville have been invited as well.

Breakfast, welcome and introductions start at 8:30 and the day concludes with a Happy Hearts Reunion from 4 to 6 p.m., for adult and pediatric surgical and heart transplant patients from the University of Florida Congenital Heart Center.

Our opening session is a panel discussion and question-and-answer session with Dr. Mark Bleiweis, director of and pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon at the University of Florida Congenital Heart Center, and Dr. F. Jay Fricker, chief of pediatric cardiology at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville. Other sessions include: advocating for your child in school, at the doctor’s office and at the hospital; balancing marriage, life and work; and using social media as a source of information and support.Sessions will end with a closing panel discussion and Q&A with our pediatric heart experts and adult CHD survivors.

While our parents enjoy interaction and educational sessions, the kids will have a day of fun, visiting the state Capitols, the Museum of Florida History, and lots of free play on Kleman Plaza.

Get a glimpse of the 2010 Regional Forum on CHD Tentative Schedule. Register today for the Regional Forum on Congenital Heart Disease. Download the Registration Form.