Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge

Covenant Health System

Classes, Events and Support Groups

Connecting with Our Community

group of women doing cardio dancing at bodyworks class

Methodist Medical Center of Oak Ridge has one of this region’s most comprehensive health education programs for patients, their families, and the community at large. While many of our classes and activities are tailored for young families, we also offer education and support groups for adults of all ages, smoking cessation for people who want to make important lifestyle changes, camps and workshops for young people, exercise classes for people ranging from moms with babies to seniors, and special events for the entire community.


2025 Classes for New, Expectant Families

Great Expectations Childbirth Class Series

This three-class childbirth series takes expectant mothers and their families through topics related to childbirth, delivery and newborn care. You will learn about the signs of impending labor, managing active labor, pain management, delivery, c-sections and post-delivery care. All classes in this series are scheduled from 6-8:30 p.m. and meet in the Cheyenne Conference Room in Cheyenne Ambulatory Center, 944 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.

  • Check back for new 2025 dates!

The classes are open for all expectant parents.  There is no fee for those delivering at Methodist. The course fee for those not delivering at Methodist is $30 per family and financial assistance with the cost is available.  To register, call 865-835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767. You may also sign up during one of your physician visits at OB/GYN Associates of Oak Ridge.

SUPER SATURDAY Great Expectations Class

This program is a condensed version of the “Great Expectations” series all rolled up into one full day!

Class time is from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. in the Cheyenne Conference Room in Cheyenne Ambulatory Center, 944 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.

  • January 4, 2025

Labor Only Class

This program is a single “Great Expectations” class which focuses solely on comfort measures and techniques for labor management. Location and registration are same as Great Expectations series. Class time is from 6 – 9 p.m. in the Cheyenne Conference Room in Cheyenne Ambulatory Center, 944 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.

  • Check back for new 2025 dates!

This class is open for all expectant parents.  There is no fee for those delivering at Methodist. The course fee for those not delivering at Methodist is $25 per family and financial assistance with the cost is available.  To register, call 865-835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767. You may also sign up during one of your physician visits at OB/GYN Associates of Oak Ridge.

Breastfeeding Classes

If you’re thinking about breastfeeding, Methodist Medical Center encourages you to register now for this two-hour evening class. We meet from 6-8 p.m. in the Cheyenne Conference Room in Cheyenne Ambulatory Center, 944 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.. You will learn more about the benefits of breastfeeding for yourself and your baby, as well as effective techniques. Handouts are provided and other suggested materials are reviewed.

There is no fee for those delivering at Methodist. The course fee for those not delivering at Methodist is $10 per family and financial assistance with the cost is available. To register, call 865-835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767. You may also sign up during one of your physician visits at OB/GYN Associates of Oak Ridge.

  • January 20, 2025

Infant CPR

New parents, grandparents and others learn lifesaving CPR techniques that are designed especially for babies during the Infant CPR class at Methodist. Handouts are available at no charge. 

Class meets from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Cheyenne Conference Room in Cheyenne Ambulatory Center, 944 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.

There is no fee for those delivering at Methodist. The course fee for those not delivering at Methodist is $10 per family and financial assistance with the cost is available. To register, call 865-835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767.

  • January 28, 2025

Baby Basics

So, you have a baby, now what? Join Methodist Medical Center for Baby Basics, a class for new parents and grandparents to learn up-to-date baby care techniques and safety.  A lot has changed since your parents raised you, so while new moms learn about postpartum depression, safe sleep strategies for baby, the importance of breast milk, what’s normal and what’s not, and how to understand a newborn’s needs, grandparents will get a refresher in modern baby care and will learn ways they can best support a new mom.

This class meets from 6-8:15 p.m. in the Cheyenne Conference Room in Cheyenne Ambulatory Center, 944 Oak Ridge Turnpike, Oak Ridge.

There is no fee for those delivering at Methodist. The course fee for those not delivering at Methodist is $10 per family and financial assistance with the cost is available. To register, call 865-835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767.

  • Check back for new 2025 dates! 

Big Brothers & Big Sisters: The sibling experience

The birth of a baby is exciting for everyone in the family, especially a big brother or big sister-to-be. The Sibling Experience is for 3 to 12-year-old boys and girls in expectant families. The children have hands-on fun while learning about and preparing for the upcoming birth of a baby in their family. This is a one-time, one-hour program for each family.

This program is available only to parents delivering at Methodist and is by appointment only by calling 865-835-2268.

Before Baby: pre-pregnancy planning

Methodist Medical Center encourages prospective parents and community groups that work with young adults to schedule a pre-planning pregnancy class. The class helps young people make informed decisions about pregnancy and provides community organizations with valuable information. Instructors are members of the Family Birthing Center staff. There is no charge. To make an appointment, call 865-835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767.

Pre-Admission Visit

A pre-admission visit is required if you plan to give birth at Methodist Medical Center. We suggest that you schedule the visit when you are 35 weeks along in your pregnancy. You will meet with a nurse in our Family Birthing Center to complete the paperwork needed for admission to the hospital when you go into labor. Paternity and other issues will be discussed during the pre-admission visit, and we also will answer your questions.

This important visit will be scheduled through OB/GYN Associates during your visit on or around 35 weeks.

Your Baby’s Health is Priceless

Don’t let the cost of classes come between you and the well-being of your baby. Class fee waivers are available to those who qualify for financial assistance. For more information call 865-835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767.


Community Exercise Classes

BodyWorks Classes

Covenant Health offers a number of BodyWorks classes designed to give adults a safe and effective workout. You’ll learn various ways to reduce stress, improve balance, and calm the body and mind. The cost varies from $2-$3, and you pay as you go. For more information about BodyWorks classes, call (865) 374-0457 or click here for class schedules.

The following BodyWorks Class is offered in Anderson County:

CardioMix

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:15 a.m. at First Baptist Church of Clinton Family Life Center

Get a great workout! You will burn calories, increase your stamina, and tone those muscles while taking it easy on the joints. We use a variety of styles to keep CardioMix interesting. We push you moderately hard, but we don’t jump or run!  Bring a mat because we go to the floor for great core work.


Smoking Cessation Classes

Freedom from Smoking® is a six-class smoking cessation series developed by the American Lung Association. Methodist Medical Center offers Freedom from Smoking classes four times each year. Class participants work with an instructor from Methodist to identify people, places and things that trigger their urge to light up; create a stop smoking plan that fits their needs; and receive support to help avoid a relapse. The fee is $50 per person, and it is refundable upon completion of all six classes. Registration is required. Call 865-835-4662 or 1-800-468-6767 for current class dates and times.


Support Groups

Stroke Support Group

People who have had a stroke or are caring for a stroke patient may benefit from this support group. There is no charge. Meetings are scheduled on the last Tuesday of each month from 4-5 p.m. (except in July, November and December, when special holiday dates are scheduled). For more information about the Stroke Support Group, contact Methodist Therapy Services at 865-835-3370. We meet in the hospital’s Ridge Conference Room, located right off of Methodist Medical Center’s Main Lobby, 990 Oak Ridge Turnpike.

Grief Support Group

Covenant Hospice offers ongoing monthly grief support groups. The group offers a safe environment where those who have experienced the death of a loved one can find comfort, support and hope. The groups are informal. You may attend meetings as you wish, for as long as you want. The grief support group meetings are open to the community and are free of charge, but registration is required. The Oak Ridge group meets at Methodist Medical Center. For more information or to register, please call 865-541-4500.

Grief Support after the Loss of a Baby

Methodist provides support services to patients and families that have lost babies during pregnancy or shortly after birth. For more information, please call 865-835-2268.