Support Groups
North Shore-LIJ Health System hospitals provide multiple support groups, free of charge, on a wide range of topics. Below is a list of support groups by disease/condition. To find support groups, please visit our community events calendar.
- ALCOHOL
- ASTHMA/PULMONARY
- BEREAVEMENT/LOSS
- BRAIN
- BREASTFEEDING
- CANCER
- CARDIAC/HEART
- DIABETES
- EATING/NUTRITION/WEIGHT LOSS
- HEARING & SPEECH
- HIV/AIDS
- HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE
- MENTAL HEALTH
- NICOTINE/SMOKING
- PAIN MANAGEMENT
- PARKINSON’S
- STROKE
- OTHER
ALCOHOL
Name: Alcoholics Anonymous
Location: Franklin Hospital, Surgical Waiting Room
Meets: Every Saturday, 8-10 am
Contact: Audrey Tullo, (516) 256-6397
ASTHMA/PULMONARY
Name: Asthma Support
Location: Southside Hospital 5 Tower Classroom
Meets: First Tuesday every month from 7-9 pm
Contact: Roy W. Timm, Jr. (631) 968-3479
Name: Pulmonary Support Group
Location:Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Pavilion at 1554 Northern Blvd, Ground Level Conf Room
Meets: Second Friday at 1 pm
Contact: Donna Tsang (516) 465-5428
BEREAVEMENT/LOSS
Name: Bereavement Group
Location: Southside Hospital
Meets: Eight-week session, meets twice a year in the spring and fall.
For: Persons learning to live with the loss of a parent, spouse, sibling, grandparent or another significant love one to cancer.
Contact: Barbara Redmond (631) 630-3835
Name: Parents of Murdered Children POMC
Location: Plainview Hospital
Meets: Fourth Sunday of every month from 2-4 pm
Contact: June (631) 384-5240
Name: Perinatal Bereavement Support Group
Location: North Shore University Hospital, Monti Classroom
Meets: Participants must call first. Runs for 8 consecutive weeks from 7:30-9:00 pm
Contact: Patricia Lundy (516) 562-8538
Name: Bereavement Support Group
Location: Monter Cancer Center
Meets: Mondays, 6:00-7:30 PM
To provide bereavement support to adult caregivers following a cancer related death. The goals are to provide an opportunity for caregivers to share their story of the journey through illness and death, to provide a safe and supportive environment in which one can process feelings and thoughts about death, grief and moving forward in life, and to build coping skills and facilitate adjustment.
Contact: Kathi Morse / Bereavement Services 516-734-8845 or griefref@nshs.edu
Name: Bereavement Support Group
Location: Huntington Hospital, Women’s Health Center
Meets: Mondays for 8-week sessions from 7-9 PM. Session one begins in April; Session two begins in September
For: Adults grieving the death of a loved one.
Contact: Sue Degnan, LMSW (631) 351-2013
Name: Bereavement: Handling the Holidays
Location: Huntington Hospital, Women’s Health Center
Meets: Call for dates, 7:00 PM
Contact: Sue Degnan, LMSW (631) 351-2013
Name: Compassionate Friends
Location: Plainview Hospital
Meets: Third Friday of each month from 8-10 PM
For: People who have lost children
Contact: Marlene Ripka (718) 767-0904
BRAIN
Name: Transitions of Long Island
Location: North Shore-LIJ / 1554 Northern Blvd. Manhasset, NY 11030 / 3rd floor cafe
Meets: First Wednesday every month from 6:30-8:00 pm
Conference: March; Picnic: June; Brunch: Oct.
Contact: Jean Elbaum (516) 719-3740
Name: Brain Injury
Location: Southside Hospital
Meets: Call for dates & times.
Contact: Roy W. Timm, Jr., (631) 968-3479
Name: Brain Aneurysm Support Group
Location: North Shore University Hospital, 9 Tower Conf Room
Meets: Second Tuesday of every month 6-8 pm
Contact: Nicole Salant, (516) 562-3815
BREASTFEEDING
Name: Breastfeeding Support Group
Location: Plainview Hospital
Meets: Every Wednesday from 10 am-1 pm
Contact: (516) 719-2238
CANCER
Name: Look Good Feel Better Program
Location: Franklin Hospital, Hospice Conference Room
Meets: First Monday, every other month, beginning in February from 1-3 PM
For: Women to help cope with related side effects of cancer treatment
Contact: Audrey Tullo, (516) 256-6397
Name: Look Good-Feel Better
Location: Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Oncology Building C-Level
Meets: Mondays 1:30-3 pm - Call for dates - Pre-registration required
Contact: Sharon Lerman, LCSW (718) 470-8964
Name: Look Good Feel Better
Location: Plainview Hospital
Meets: Second Monday of every other month from 3-5 PM
Contact: The American Cancer Society 1(800) 227-2345
Name: Look Good-Feel Better
Location: Monter Conference Room
Meets: Mondays - Call for dates - 1-3 pm - Pre-registration required
Contact: Donna Vignola, LCSW (516) 734-8816
Name: Cancer Support Group
Location: Staten Island University Hospital, Nalitt Center
Meets: Second Monday of the month (October meeting is third Monday) from 12-1:30 PM
Contact: Cancer Information Line (718) 226-8888
Name: People Living with Cancer & Caregivers
Location: Monter Conference Room
Meets: Tuesdays, call for dates, 5:30-7 pm - Pre-registration required
Contact: Kathi Morse, LCSW 516-734-8817 or Donna Vignola, LCSW (516) 734-8816
Name: Patient/Caregiver’s Program
Location:Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Oncology Building, 3rd floor
Meets: Second Wednesday of each month, call for dates - Pre-registration required
Contact: Sharon Lerman, LCSW (718) 470-8964
Name: Relaxation Classes
Location: Monter Conference Room
Meets: Please call for date & time - Pre-registration required
Contact: Donna Vignola, LCSW (516) 734-8816
Name: Path to Wellness after Cancer
Location: Monter Conference Room
Meets: Date to be announced - 5:30-7:30 pm - Pre-registration required
Contact: Donna Vignola, LCSW (516) 734-8816 or Sharon Lerman, LCSW (718) 470-8964
Name: Cancer Support Group
Location: Plainview Hospital
Meets: Second Thursday of every month from 6-8 PM
Contact: Barbara Casey (516) 541-4673 or Catherine Case (516) 795-4614
Name: Cancer Support Group Meeting
Location: Franklin Hospital, Cafeteria
Meets: First Monday of every month from 2-4 PM
For: Patients and their families
Contact: Anna Rossetti at (516) 256-6025
Name: Young Adult Support
Location: varies
Meets: call for dates & times
Contact: Sharon Daneshgar (516) 562-8715
Name: Be Well, Stay Well - Before, During and After Radiation Therapy
Meets: Second Thursday of each month, call for time & location
Contact: Gina DiVincenzo, LCSW, OSW-C (516) 562-2825 or Alison Hochhauser, LMSW (718) 470-7033
Name: Grupo de apoyo de Mujeres Latinas con Cancer en los Senos
Contact: Pare mas informacion, por favor de llamar a Carmen al (631) 951-6908
Name: Oncology Support Group
Location: Huntington Hospital, Women’s Health Center
Meets: Every Wednesday 7-9 PM
For: Patients and/or family members with cancer
Contact: Sue Degnan, LMSW (631) 351-2013
Name: Sisters of Greater Long Island
Location: Babylon Town Hall
Meets: Second Monday of every month at 7:00 PM
About: An African-American Breast Cancer Survivors’ Organization.
Contact: Pamela 631-789-8428, Ronice (631) 253-0430, Cynthia (631) 351-2343
Name: Bereavement Group, Cancer Related Loss
Location: Monter Conference Room
Meets: Mondays, call for dates, 6:00-7:30 pm - Pre-registration required
Contact: Kathi Morse, LCSW (516) 734-8817
Name: Breast Cancer Support Group I
Location: Huntington Hospital, Women’s Health Center
Meets: Second and fourth Thursday each month from 5:30-7:00 PM
For: Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, up to one year post-diagnosis
Contact: Gail Probst, RN (631) 351-2568 or Judy Koles, RN (631) 351-2564
Name: Breast Cancer
Location: Southside Hospital, 5 Tower Classroom
Meets: Weekly from 7-8:30 PM
For: Patients, survivors and their families in partnership with Town of Islip Breast Cancer Coalition
Contact: The Coalition (631) 968-7424
Name: Breast Cancer Support Group
Location: Staten Island University Hospital, Nalitt Center
Meets: Last Saturday of every month (no meetings July & August) from 12-1:30 PM
Contact: Cancer Information Line (718) 226-8888
Name: Breast Cancer Support Group II
Location: Huntington Hospital, 1 South Conference Room #1
Meets: Third Thursday each month from 7-9 PM
For: Women diagnosed with breast cancer more than one year ago.
Contact: Toni Lico (631) 757-4581
Name: Breast Cancer Series “Beyond Breast Cancer” Group
Location: North Shore University Hospital
Meets: 5:30-7:00 pm, Call (516) 734-8816 for date - Pre-registration required
Contact: Gina DiVincenzo, LCSW, OSW-C (516) 562-2825
Name: Prostate Cancer Support Group
Location: Southside Hospital
Contact: Michael Interrante (631) 968-3636
Name: Prostate Cancer Support Group
Location: Staten Island University Hospital, Nalitt Center
Meets: Second Monday of every month (no meetings July & August) from 7-9 PM
Contact: Cancer Information Line (718) 226-8888
Name: Prostate Support & Education Group
Location: Monter Conference Room
Meets: Wednesdays, call for dates - 3:30-5:00 pm
Contact: Kathi Morse, LCSW (516) 734-8817
Other: Scheduled speaker each month
Name: Lymphoma Support Group
Location: Monter Conference Room
Meets: Thursdays: call for dates, 7:30-8:30 pm
For: Patients and families
Contact: Sharon Daneshgar (516) 562-8715
Name: Post-Transplant Support & Education Group
Location: Monter Conference Room
Meets: 2-3 pm
Contact: Jaime LaMarca LMSW (516) 562-8429
Name: Gynecological Support Group
Location: Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Oncology C Level Conference Room
Meets: Twice a month. Pre-registration required.
For: Gynecological patients currently on treatment and post-treatment.
Contact: Alison Hochhauser, LMSW (718) 470-7033
Name: Laryngectomy Support Group
Location: Long Island Jewish Medical Center Hearing & Speech
Meets: Fridays 10:30-11:30 am call for dates - Pre-registration required
Contact: (718) 470-8631
Name: Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) Orientation
Location: 410 Lakeville Rd, Suite 212
Meets: Call for dates & times - Pre-registration required
Contact: (718) 470-4050
Name: CLL Support Program (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia)
Location: 410 Lakeville Rd, Suite 212
Meets: Tuesdays, call for additional dates - Pre-registration required
Contact: (718) 470-4050
CARDIAC/HEART
Name: Heart Failure Support Group
Location: Southside Hospital
Meets: Third Tuesday every month from 6-8 pm
Contact: Norma Donohue. (631) 968-3062
Name: Women Heart of Huntington
Location: Dolan Family Health Center
Meets: Fourth Monday of the month at 2:00-3:30 PM
Contact: Mary O'Connell at (631) 499-4160 or Peggy Sanesky at (631) 271-3766
Name: Internal Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) Support Group
Location: Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Teaching Center
Meets: First Wednesday of each month, 6-7:30pm
About: Group is facilitated by a Cardiologist, a Clinical Psychologist and a Registered Nurse.
Contact: Janet Hyland, RN (718) 470-3533
Name: Heart Club
Location: Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Teaching Center
Meets: Quarterly, call for dates, 2:00-3:30pm
Contact: Janet Hyland, RN (718) 470-3533
DIABETES
Name: Diabetes & You
Location: Southside Hospital Boardrooms 1 & 2
Meets: Second Wednesday each month at 6:30 pm
Contact: Loriann Lomnicki Gross (631) 968-3747
Name: Diabetes Support Group
Location: 2800 Marcus Ave, Suite 200
Meets: Monthly 7-8:30 pm
For: Adults with type 1, type 2 & gestational diabetes
Contact: Julia Schulman (516) 708-2541 or Donna Jornsay (718) 470-7907
Name: Diabetes Support Group
Location: Cohen Children’s Medical Center of NY, Cafeteria Classroom C Ground Level
Meets: Monthly 2-3 pm
For: Adults with type 2 diabetes
Contact: Donna Jornsay (718) 470-7907
Name: Diabetes - Heart Club
Location: Glen Cove Hospital, Maxwell Board Room
Meets: Third Monday of every month 12-1 pm
Contact: Meg Diliberto (516) 674-7936
EATING/NUTRITION/WEIGHT LOSS
Name: Healthy Cooking Classes
Location: Southside Hospital Boardrooms 1 & 2
Meets: Call (631) 968-3593 to register
Contact: Roy W. Timm, Jr. (631) 968-3479
Name: Weight Loss Surgery Support Group
Location: Southside Hospital Board Room 1
Meets: Second Monday every month at 6:30 pm Information Session/ 7:00 pm Support Group
Contact: Mary Ann Conlon (631) 968-3938
Name: Overeaters Anonymous
Location: Plainview Hospital, Lecture Rooms A&B
Meets: Every Sunday of each month from 10-11:30 am and from 11:30 am - 1 pm, every Friday of each month at 8-9:30 pm in the Conference Room
Contact: (516) 794-1333 or (516) 342-1196
Name: Eating Disorders Support Group
Location: Huntington Hospital, 1 South Conference Room
Meets: First Sunday each month (except April) from 10-11:30 AM
For: People with eating disorders, their families and friends.
Contact: Jeannie Gedeon, MPH (631) 427-0002 or Hilary Brodsky, LCSW (516) 241-5193
HEARING & SPEECH
Name: Tinnitus Support Group
Location: Franklin Hospital, Cafeteria
Meets: 4th Monday (except July, August & sometime May) from 7:30 - 9:30 PM
For: People who suffer from constant ringing in ears.
Contact: Audrey Tullo, (516) 256-6397
Name: Anamillo Speech Club
Location: Plainview Hospital, Lecture Hall.
Meets: Every third Sunday of each month 2-4 pm
Name: Cochlear Implant Support Group
Location: Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Hearing & Speech Conf Room
For: Adults with cochlear implants meet for informative presentations and professional guidance. The group is led by a social worker and an audiologist.
Meets: Quarterly - call for dates - 7:00 pm
Contact: Linda Glazer, DSW, (718) 470-8631
Name: Parents of Hearing Impaired Children
Location: Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Hearing & Speech Conference Room
Meets: First Wednesday of every month at 7 PM
About: Under the direction of a social worker & speech pathologist to discuss issues, problems, successes and provide emotional support.
Contact: Linda Glazer, DSW, (718) 470-8631
Name: Support Program for Oral, Head & Neck Cancer (SPOHNC)
Location: Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Hearing & Speech Building
Meets: 6:30-8 pm, Thursdays - call for dates
Contact: Sharon Lehman, LCSW (718) 470-8964
HIV/AIDS
Name: Teen Group
Location: 865 Northern Blvd / Suite 101
Meets: First Thursday of the month 5-7 pm
For: Patients of the Division of Adolescent/Young Adult Immunology & Division of Infectious Disease CART Program. Life skills for teens 13-17.
Contact: Judy Aiges, DSW (516) 622-5168
Name: Young Adult Group Workshop on Job Readiness Skills
Meets: Four Thursdays, call for dates, 5-7 pm
For: Young adults 18-23 who are HIV infected
Contact: RuninMuun Hyman, LMSW (516) 622-5196
Name: Center for AIDS, Research & Treatment (CART) Women’s Support Group
Location: 400 Community Drive, Infectious Disease Conference Room
Meets: Every Wednesday 12-1 pm
For: HIV infected women
Contact: Marlene Joseph, LMSW (516) 622-5233
Name: PICONS: Pediatric Caregivers of North Shore
Location: 865 Northern Blvd / Suite 101
Meets: First Friday, call for dates, 10:30 am-12 pm
For: Peer information/educational mutual support group for caregivers of HIV positive children.
Contact: Judy Aiges DSW (516) 622-5168
HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE
Name: Huntington’s Disease Caregiver Support Group
Location: Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Goldman Conference Room C, 350 Community Drive, Manhasset, NY 11030
Meets: Wednesday, call for dates, 6:00-7:00 pm
For: Caregivers of patients with Huntington's Disease
Contact: mariecox19@yahoo.com
MENTAL HEALTH
Name: National Association of Mentally Ill (NAMI) Monthly Meeting
Location: Zucker Hillside Hospital / Sloman Bldg / Auditorium
Meets: Third Wednesday each month 7:30 pm
Contact: Gracy Thomas (718) 470-8795
Name: Bipolar Support Group (National Association of Mentally Ill (NAMI)
Location: Zucker Hillside Hospital / Sloman Bldg / Auditorium
Meets: First & third Tuesday of each month 7 pm
Contact: NAMI Queens Nassau (516) 326-0797
Name: National Association of Mentally Ill (NAMI), LI Regional Council, Inc.
Location: Plainview Hospital, Lecture Rooms A&B
Meets: Every third Thursday of each month from Jan-June and Sept-Dec at 7-9:30 PM (No meeting July & Aug)
Contact: Barbara Roth (516) 694-7327
Name: LI Mood Disorder Support Group
Location: Plainview Hospital, LA & LB
Contact: 516-499-6374
NICOTINE/SMOKING
Name: Smoking Cessation Program
Location: Center for Tobacco Control
Meets: Tuesdays 6-7 pm, Call for dates - Pre-registration required
Contact: Patricia Folan (516) 466-1980
Name: Nicotine Anonymous Program
Location: Center for Tobacco Control
Meets: Mondays 6:45-7:45 pm, Call for dates - Pre-registration required
Contact: Patricia Folan (516) 466-1980
Name: Nicotine Anonymous - Ann’s Hope
Location: Huntington Hospital, Trailer #1
Meets: Every Wednesday from 7:30-8:30 PM
For: A 12-stop fellowship of men and women helping each other to lead nicotine-free lives.
Contact: Patti Alperti (631) 385-1410
Name: Tobacco Free Program
Location: Huntington Hospital, / Dolan Family Health Center/ Murcott Conference Room
Meets: At 6:00-7:15 pm starting February for six-consecutive Thursdays; Reunion: April
This 6 week program given by the Suffolk County Dept of Health is free of charge.
Contact: Irene Housley at (631) 351-2385, email: ihousley@hunthosp.org
PAIN MANAGEMENT
Name: Pain Education Series
Location: Southside Hospital, 1 East Conference Room
Meets: Second Wednesday of every month
11 am in January, March, May, July, September & November
6:30 pm in February, April, June, August, October & December
Free valet parking is available at the front entrance.
Beverages will be served. Please call 631-675-4510 to reserve a seat.
Contact: Kathy Catalano or Anne Miglio, NP at (631) 968-3060 or (631) 675-4510
Name: Pain Management Support Group
Location: Southside Hospital
Meets: Call for dates & times
Contact: Roy W. Timm, Jr. (631) 968-3479
Name: Pain Management
Location: Syosset Hospital, Pain Suite
Meets: First Wednesday of every month for 1 hour
Contact: Ellen Cunningham (516) 496-6589
PARKINSON’S
Name: Parkinson’s Support Group
Location: North Shore University Hospital, Rust Auditorium
Meets: Two to three times a year
Contact: Michael Pourfar, (516) 570-4477
STROKE
Name: Stroke Club
Location: North Shore University Hospital, Building 304
Meets: Every Friday 10:30 am- 2:00 pm
Contact: Joanne Turnier, (516) 562-1194
Name: Stroke Support Group
Location: Plainview Hospital, Lecture Room A&B
Meets: Fourth Friday of every month from 1-3 pm
Contact: Joy Harris, (516) 719-2411
OTHER
Name: Adult Caregiver Support Group
Location: Zucker Hillside Hospital, Sloman Building, Room 2100
Meets: Wednesdays 11 am - 12 pm
Contact: Barbara Vogel (718) 470-8447
Name: Care Giver Support Group
Location: Staten Island University Hospital, Nalitt Cancer Center
Meets: First Monday of the month (no meetings July & August) from 7-8 PM
Contact: Catherine Nyhus (718) 226-6465
Name: Early Dementia Support Group
Location: Zucker Hillside Hospital, ACP Building, Room 2104
Meets: Mondays 2-3 pm
Contact: Barbara Vogel (718) 470-8447
Name: Amputee Support Group
Location: Southside Hospital
Meets: First Saturday of each month at 1:30 pm at the rehab unit
Contact: Roy W. Timm, Jr. (631) 968-3479
Name: Sleep Apnea Support Group
Location: Southside Hospital
Meets: Call (631) 987-0275 to reserve your seat
Contact: Roy W. Timm, Jr. (631) 968-3479
Name: Epilepsy Support Group
Location: Cushing Neuroscience Institute, North Shore-LIJ Medical Group, 611 Northern Blvd, Great Neck, NY, Conference Room S-204, 2nd floor
Meets: First Monday of each month from 6-7:30 PM
Contact: For information and RSVP to Diane Padernacht (516) 325-7019
Name: National Foundation of Psoriasis
Location: Plainview Hospital, In-service classroom
Meets: First Tuesday of every other month from 7-9 PM
Contact: Joe Ettari (631) 622-5165
Name: Greater South Bay Dental Study Club
Location: Plainview Hospital, basement lecture rooms
Meets: Fourth Tuesday of every month or as indicated on schedule at 8-11 PM
Contact: Patient & Community Relations Dept (516) 719-2613
Name: American Liver Foundation Hepatitis Support Group
Location: Plainview Hospital, In-service classroom
Meets: First Monday of the month at 7-9 PM
Contact: Gina Pollachino (631) 754-4795
Name: Amyothrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (ALS)
Location: Plainview Hospital, Lecture Hall
Meets: First Sunday of each month from 2-5 PM
Contact: Theresa Donovan Imperato (212) 619-1400
Name: Autoimmune Support Group
Location: Glen Cove Hospital
Meets: Monthly
Contact: Carol Marino (516) 674-7812
Name: The Long Island Neuropathy Support Group
Location: 145 Community Drive / Conference Room
Meets: Thursdays, call for dates & times
Contact: Joseph Malkevitch, Email: malkevitch@york.cuny.edu