| Creighton FertilityCare Founder to Speak in Weirton |
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By Colleen Rowan
WEIRTON—The founder of the Creighton FertilityCare System and NaProTechnology, Dr. Thomas Hilgers, will be the guest speaker at the ninth annual Tri-State FertilityCare Centers Seminar in Weirton March 13.
“This is the only seminar he is doing this year,” said Kathy Hirkala, RN, BSN, CFCE, director of the FertilityCare Center of the Upper Ohio Valley in Weirton. “He’s the founder of the Creighton FertilityCare System and the director of the Paul IV Institute (in Omaha, Neb.), which is the home of the Creighton Model. So it’s a huge honor that he’s coming.”
Sponsored by the FertilityCare Center of the Upper Ohio Valley, the seminar is open to all and will be held at the Serbian American Center in Weirton. Married couples experiencing infertility and those who want to learn more about Natural Family Planning (NFP) are encouraged to attend.
“Dr. Hilgers is going to be talking about infertility and different treatments and NaProTechnology, which is natural procreative technology that works cooperatively with a woman’s cycle and actually diagnoses a problem,” Hirkala said. “There’s nobody who ever goes away with a diagnosis of ‘unexplained infertility.’”
Hilgers will offer “Infertility and the Creighton Model System” in the morning and “The Creighton Model System and Women’s Health Maintenance” in the afternoon.
NFP is not the old antiquated calendar rhythm or counting days, Hirkala noted, “It’s actually scientifically proven to be effective.” The charting that a woman does in the Creighton Model System is a huge tool for doctors to be able to diagnose and treat infertility or health problems she may be experiencing, Hirkala said.
NFP, Hirkala said, is fully endorsed by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and coincides with the teachings of the church.
The seminar will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration and a continental breakfast followed by the opening prayer. “Protecting the Right of Informed Conscience in Reproductive Medicine” will be presented by Sister Renee Mirkes, OSF, Ph.D., director of the Center for NaProEthics at the Pope VI Institute; and the testimonial, “A Physician’s Journey,” will be presented by Eileen Kummant, M.D., NFPMC. The morning will end with a question-and-answer session.
Afternoon sessions will include “Resolving Sexual Conflict: Four Principles for Negotiating Sexual Differences in Marriage” by Gregory Popcak, Ph.D., MSW, at 12:45 p.m.; “Infertility Treatment: An Upbeat Update” by Sister Mirkes; and the testimonial, “Faith, Hope, and Love and the Creighton FertilityCare System,” by Hirkala. A question-and-answer session will also be held followed by a closing prayer, vigil Mass and banquet.
Continuing Education Credits for registered nurses will be provided. For more information or to register, call Paulette Nagy at (304)748-0688 or visit www.tri-statefertilitycarecenters.com. |