News Releases

Griffin Hospital will celebrate National Cancer Survivors Day®, the world's largest cancer survivor event, from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 3 in the hospital dining room at 130 Division Street in Derby. All cancer survivors and their family members are invited to join the celebration.

This theme of this year’s celebration is “You are the Sunshine of Our Lives” and will feature Andy Pezzino, an area cancer survivor and motivational speaker. There will also be food and door prizes.

“This annual event is a gathering where we share camaraderie, hope, compassion, faith and love as we honor cancer survivors for their strength and courage,” said Doris Fialkovich, RN, the organizer of the celebration. “The event also provides an opportunity to recognize the contributions of patients' families, friends, and healthcare providers and discuss various issues of cancer survivorship.”

A cancer survivor, as defined by the National Cancer...

Make sure your infant or child car seat is installed correctly at a Child Passenger Safety Clinic from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22 at 4 Mountain Street in Derby.

Hosted by the Griffin Hospital’s Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Chapter, this clinic offers car seat checks and instruction on how to properly install child safety seats from Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

The Chapter hosts car safety seat clinics throughout the year with the help of a grant from the BJ’s Charitable Foundation.

Appointments are encouraged by calling 203.732.1337. There will be a limited number of free car seats given to those who qualify.

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In addition to supporting Lower Naugatuck Valley’s cancer survivors through its annual 5K Walk/Run, The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital is proud to be a sponsor of the 2012 Relay For Life of Shelton and Naugatuck Valley set for June 2-3 at the Riverwalk in Shelton.

Staff from The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, from left, Sue Anderson, RT, Chief Radiation Therapist Lori Murphy, Laura Howell, RT, and Fran Kennedy, RT, recently finalized The Center’s sponsorship of The Relay For Life of Shelton and Naugatuck Valley with American Cancer Society Partner Breigh Garguilo and Relay Chair Kristen Ostrowski, far right.

DERBY, CT (May 9, 2012) – Griffin Hospital has received the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award.

The award recognizes Griffin Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of stroke care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted standards and recommendations.

To receive the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Silver Plus Quality Achievement Award, Griffin Hospital achieved at least 12 consecutive months of 85 percent or higher adherence to all Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Achievement indicators and achieved at least 75 percent or higher compliance with six of 10 Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Quality Measures during that same period of time, which are reporting initiatives to measure quality of care.

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Griffin Hospital will be able to expand breast cancer education to women in the Naugatuck Valley, thanks to a $50,000 grant from Komen Connecticut.

“We are tremendously grateful to Komen Connecticut for supporting our work, which is educating women and saving lives in our community,” said Griffin Hospital President & CEO Patrick Charmel.

The grant will support the Valley Breast Health Initiative, which provides outreach and education to all women, including the uninsured or underinsured, about the importance of breast wellness and early detection and provide screening mammograms to women who otherwise couldn’t afford them.

The initiative will maintain a presence in neighborhoods, businesses, churches, health clubs, etc. in the greater Valley area, with a special focus on Shelton and Naugatuck, and will help navigate...

Griffin Hospital’s Bereavement and Grief Support Program will be starting a new Tuesday evening support group for anyone who is experiencing the loss of a loved one beginning May 8 from 6:30 – 8 p.m.

The group will run for eight weeks through June 19. Facilitated by a member of the hospital's Pastoral Care Staff, the group provides grief education and support.

There is no charge and the group is open to the public, but preregistration is required. Please contact Jo Clare Wilson, Hospital Chaplain, at 203.732.1100 to register or for more information.

DERBY, CT (May 2, 2012) - Renowned nutrition expert and exercise physiologist Samantha Heller, MS, RD, will share simple lifestyle changes that can boost brain power during a free cancer survivorship event from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on May 23 at The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave. in Derby.

Based on her best selling, medically peer reviewed book, “Get Smart: Samantha Heller’s Nutrition Prescription for Boosting Brain Power & Optimizing Total Body Health,”...

DERBY, CT (April 27, 2012) - The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital was recently featured in Wavelength magazine for its patient-centered programs and welcoming environment.

The Center was one of four cancer centers around the world praised by the magazine for working to change the reputation for cancer centers from the unfriendly “cancer ward” of the past into a “home away from home” that is full of optimism and hope. The Center was selected for its inviting design and unique offerings to patients, including holiday celebrations, a Guided Imagery program, custom...

DERBY, CT (April 26, 2012) - In recognition of Stroke Awareness Month, the Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation on the connection between diabetes and stroke from 6:30 – 8 p.m. on Tuesday, May 8 in the hospital’s dining room at 130 Division Street in Derby.

Primary Care Physician Shyla Muriel, MD,...

DERBY, CT (April 19, 2012) - Applications are being accepted for the next Phlebotomy course being offered by the Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, 300 Seymour Ave. in Derby. Anyone age 18 or older with a High School Diploma or GED may apply for admission. Early registration is encouraged, as space is limited.

The popular 13-week Phlebotomy course begins Tuesday, May 22, with classes held Tuesday through Thursday. Students can choose to attend either day (9:00 a.m. to noon) or evening (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) sessions to accommodate their schedules. Tuition is $1,995 and includes lab coats, books, national certification exam fee, and a 40-hour externship.

For more information or to apply, contact course instructors Joanne Halstead RN, BSN, MS at jhalstead@griffinhealth.org or Tracy Huneke CP, NPA, CHI, at thuneke@griffinhealth.org, or call the school at 203.732.1276.

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