Meetings take place on the third Tuesday of each month, 4:30 to 6:00pm.

The purpose of “Heart to Heart” will be to provide mutual support, motivation to continue healthy lifestyle behaviors, and education on matters concerning heart disease and heart health.  Kathryn Aubry Fox, NP, will facilitate the support groups.  Fox, a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst with a Masters of Science in Nursing, has been employed as a nurse practitioner in the Cardiopulmonary Department at Baystate Franklin Medical Center since 2002.   

“I really want women to be able to support each other in a fun way,” said Fox.  “Heart disease is frightening, but it doesn’t need to prevent you from leading a normal, healthy life.  In fact, having a heart attack can often lead women to a lifestyle that’s even healthier than before the heart attack. Support groups offer people a chance to unite around their common experiences and find positive solutions to problems.”

Each meeting will have a different theme and will cover such topics as stress reduction, women and aging, exercise, food and nutrition, medications, the financial impact of living with heart disease, and how families are affected.  “I hope to have guest speakers at some of the meetings – such as physicians, fitness experts, and nutritionists,” Fox continued.