Neighborhood Convention

The Neighborhood Convention will meet at 10:45 a.m. at the Federated Church in Edgartown on March 3. Dr. Sofia Anthony, a family physician with added qualification in geriatric medicine who has retired to Martha’s Vineyard, will speak. Her talk is entitled Plan Ahead: No One Gets Out Alive.

All are welcome. Bring a sack lunch and enjoy fellowship following the program. For information call Mary-Jean Miner at 508-696-8589

Medical Reserve

The Martha’s Vineyard Medical Reserve Corps has announced its new officers: chairman, Shirley Fauteux, Oak Bluffs health agent; vice-chairman, Chuck Cotnoir, Dukes County emergency management director, treasurer, Matthew Poole, Edgartown health agent; clerk, Carol Bardwell, hospital chief nurse executive.

The Vineyard Nursing Association has announced a plan to expand its services to include hospice care, directly competing with Hospice of Martha’s Vineyard, a 28-year-old Island institution which operates solely on donations, unfettered by the constraints of insurance regulations.

Vineyard Nursing Association has applied to become a licensed hospice provider certified under Medicare.

Lyme Disease Education

The Martha’s Vineyard Lyme Disease Association is launching an Islandwide campaign this summer aimed at reducing the incidence of Lyme disease on the Island.

The association provides education and information to businesses, individuals and organizations on tick-borne illness. The association is a nonprofit organization and works with other health organizations.

Dental Grant

The Oral Health Foundation, funded by Delta Dental of Massachusetts, recently awarded $4 million in grants to Massachusetts organizations working to improve oral health throughout the state. The Martha’s Vineyard Hospital received $12,599.

The foundation is investing in affordable, and preventive oral health services for children, elderly and families in Massachusetts.

Prostate Cancer Support

Martha’s Vineyard Community Services will host the prostate cancer support group on Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 10:30 a.m. in the board room at the Community Services administration building. The session is open to all and free of charge. For information call 508-693-7900, extension 320.