Ventura, CA. - Community Memorial Health System kicks off its 2011 seminar series with a free seminar on Tuesday, Jan. 11 focusing on the minimally invasive treatment of fibroids, benign tumors in a woman’s uterine smooth muscle.

Dr. Lois Barnes and Dr. Srisawai Pattamakom, Ventura obstetrician-gynecologists, will lead the seminar that will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. in Community Memorial Hospital’s eighth-floor Nichols Auditorium.

Drs. Barnes and Pattamakom will discuss symptoms of fibroids, which typically start in women in their 30s. Symptoms include heavy and prolonged periods, pain in the pelvis and during intercourse, and infertility. The seminar will delve into traditional treatments for fibroids and also provide information on alternative and minimally invasive procedures, including hysteroscopic myomectomy and robotically assisted laparoscopic myomectomy.

Dr. Barnes received her medical degree from the University of California at Davis and Dr. Pattamakom earned her medical degree from Northwestern University. Both are active members of the Community Memorial Hospital medical staff.

Admission is free, but space is limited, so reservations are required. Call (805) 652-5436, or visit www.cmhshealth.org/rsvp.

Community Memorial Hospital is located at 147 N. Brent St. in Ventura.

Community Memorial Health System is a not-for-profit health system, which is comprised of Community Memorial Hospital, Ojai Valley Community Hospital, and nine family-practice health centers entitled Centers for Family Health. The health system is located in Ventura County, California.