Margaretville Hospital Announces Free Respiratory Health Program

MARGARETVILLE — WMCHealth’s Margaretville Hospital has announced a new initiative titled "Breathe Better with Us," a free clinical and educational respiratory health program designed to assist individuals with breathing difficulties.

The program targets residents who experience symptoms such as abnormal breathing, chest pain or tightness, coughing, wheezing, or disrupted sleep. It is also open to those with diagnoses including asthma, bronchitis, COPD, emphysema, pulmonary hypertension, and Farmers Lung. Additionally, past smokers and individuals with exposure to work-related lung injuries, asbestos, chemicals, mold, diesel fumes, or dusty classrooms are encouraged to participate.

Organizers state that these exposures and diagnoses fall under Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases (CLRD), which are treatable. With proper management, patients can reduce symptoms, improve their quality of life, and lower the risk of other conditions.

The program offers free individual sessions with a respiratory therapist, alongside convenient drop-in and virtual classes. Participants may join classes in person at Margaretville Hospital or virtually via Zoom. All classes and support groups run from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The schedule for the 2025–2026 program is as follows:

Winter 2026 (Virtual Support Group): Jan. 19; Feb. 2, 16.

Spring 2026 (In-person/Virtual): March 23; April 6, 20; May 4, 18.

Summer 2026 (In-person/Virtual): June 1, 15, 29; July 13, 27.

Registration is not required, and attendees can drop into a class anytime. Those joining virtually can use Meeting ID 827 4471 7719 and Passcode 506479.

For more information, call 845-517-6316 or email breathebetter@wmchealth.org.