News Releases

DERBY, CT (May 20, 2013) – As people plan to spend time in the sun this summer, Griffin Hospital is raising skin cancer awareness and helping protect individuals with a series of free skin cancer screenings.

The screenings will be held on June 5, July 17 and August 8 from 4-7 p.m. at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, 350 Seymour Ave., in Derby.

According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common of all cancers. It accounts for nearly half of all cancers in...

Griffin Hospital is pleased to welcome Rishi Ramlogan, MD as the new Medical Director of its Bariatric Surgery Program, Griffin Bariatrics.

Dr. Ramlogan, who is board certified by the American Board of Surgery, brings extensive experience working at three Bariatric Centers of Excellence to his new position. He will be treating patients with a broad range of bariatric, laparoscopic and general surgery concerns. His special areas of interest include laparoscopic gastric bypass, gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, revisional bariatric procedures, hernia surgery and anti-reflux surgery. 

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DERBY, CT (May 15, 2013) – Griffin Hospital will offer a basic level Soft Touch workshop on Saturday, June 29 from noon to 3 p.m. The workshop is free and open to the public.

Soft Touch is a therapeutic, relaxing and gentle rub that can be given to an individual's hands, feet, or back. Griffin Hospital offers the therapy to patients and their caregivers as a way to reduce their anxiety, pain and stress.

Taught by a Griffin Hospital nurse who is also a licensed massage therapist, this basic-level training includes a demonstration of various Soft Touch techniques as well as opportunity for hands-on practice.

Space is limited, so early registration is required. Workshop participants can register by contacting Tricia Brister at 203.732.7555 or at tbrister@griffinhealth.org.

DERBY, CT (May 9, 2013) – Make sure summer get-togethers include healthy eating, at a free presentation by Griffin Hospital on Tuesday, May 28.

Medical experts at Medi-Weightloss Clinics in Shelton will present “Set a Good Example This Summer,” a discussion about healthy summer eating at 6:30 p.m. at Griffin Hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division Street in Derby. This talk will help attendees set the right example for children at family picnics and cookouts with recipes and meal planning tips. The presentation also includes information about the Power Play program for children ages 12-18, which offers healthy weight loss solutions for the entire family. Attendees...

DERBY, CT (May 6, 2013) – Griffin Hospital is helping women understand their breast cancer risk with a free presentation on May 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Cyrenius Booth Public Library in Newtown.

Dr. Denise Barajas, MD, FACS, breast surgeon and Medical Director of the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, will present “Breast Cancer: Know Your Risks. Know Your Options,” a discussion on the different risk levels for breast cancer and testing and treatment options.

To register, call 203.732.1511 or visit griffinhealth.org.

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DERBY, CT (May 6, 2103) – Griffin Hospital in Derby recently received a $7,500 grant from the BJ’s Charitable Foundation. Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach and Parish Nursing Program will use the grant to purchase infant car seats, booster car seats and bicycle helmets for its Safe Kids Car Seat/Bicycle Helmet Initiative.

“Many families in the Valley are facing economic challenges that can make it hard to afford the proper safety car seats and bicycle helmets for their children,” said Daun Barrett, RN, Director of Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach & Valley Parish Nurse Program. “This donation ensures that we will be able to continue hosting car seat safety clinics and bicycle safety classes where we will perform car seat safety checks, distribute and install new car seats and properly fit children for helmets as needed.”

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DERBY, CT (May 6, 2013) - Griffin Hospital in Derby has earned the service industry-coveted 2012 Angie’s List Super Service Award, an honor awarded annually to approximately 5 percent of all the companies rated on Angie’s List, the nation’s leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies.

“It’s a select group of companies rated on Angie’s List that can claim the exemplary customer service record of being a Super Service Award winner,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “Our standards for the Super Service Award are quite high. The fact that Griffin Hospital earned this recognition speaks volumes about its dedication providing great service to its customers.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2012 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, including earning a minimum number of reports, an excellent rating from their customers and abiding by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are...

DERBY, CT (May 6, 2013) - Griffin Hospital will host an AARP Driver Safety Program from 8:45 a.m. – 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, June 8 in the hospital’s dining room meeting rooms.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation's first and largest refresher course for drivers.  While the course is geared toward drivers age 50 and older, the course is open to all interested persons.

The training is designed to help you learn current rules of the road, how to operate your vehicle more safely in today's increasingly challenging driving environment, and some adjustments to common age-related changes in vision, hearing, and reaction time. The course also covers such topics as how to maintain proper following distance at all times; the safest way to change lanes and make turns at intersections; the effects of medications on driving; how to minimize the effect of dangerous blind spots; the importance of eliminating...

DERBY, CT (May 6, 2013) – Griffin Hospital has received the Get With The Guidelines®–Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award from the American Heart Association. The award recognizes Griffin Hospital’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care by ensuring that stroke patients receive treatment according to nationally accepted guidelines.

Get With The Guidelines–Stroke helps Griffin Hospital’s staff develop and implement acute and secondary prevention guideline processes to improve patient care and outcomes. The program provides hospitals with a web-based patient management tool, best practice discharge protocols and standing orders, along with a robust registry and real-time benchmarking capabilities to track performance....

DERBY, CT (May 3, 2013) - The Griffin Hospital School of Allied Health Careers, at 300 Seymour Avenue, Suite 206 in Derby, will offer its Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program and Medical Terminology course this May. Anyone 18 years of age or older with a High School Diploma or GED may apply for admission. Early application is encouraged, as space is limited.

The CNA program begins May 20 and the Medical Terminology course starts May 28.

The 13-week CNA course will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5 - 9 p.m. Course content includes infection control, legal and ethical responsibilities, communications, body mechanics, moving and positioning residents, personal care skills, nutrition, measuring vital signs, and restorative care. Once a student successfully completes the course and clinical experience, they will be qualified to take the State exam for certification as a Nursing Assistant in Connecticut. The $1,250 CNA course tuition fee includes the course book, workbook, and malpractice insurance coverage for the clinical rotation, which will be held on Monday and Wednesday evenings as well as Saturday mornings.

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DERBY, CT (May 2, 2013) - The Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital in Derby will host a free workshop on May 16 from 6-7 p.m. to discuss how cancer treatments can cause intimacy issues and ways to address these issues.

Clinical Psychologist Dr. Mindy Hersh will present “Intimacy and Sexuality” a discussion on how treatments for cancer can cause changes in sexual desire and function. Attendees will learn helpful strategies to address the physical and emotional challenges.

The presentation is part of the Center for Cancer Care’s free Survivorship Program, which offers personalized guidance from experienced clinicians to help cancer patients transition from active treatment back to everyday life.

The Center’s entire...

DERBY, CT (May 2, 2013) – In recognition of Stroke Awareness Month, the Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will...

DERBY, CT (May 1, 2013) – As warm weather draws people to outdoor activities and sports, Griffin Hospital is helping individuals prevent damage to their feet with a free presentation on Tuesday, May 14.

Podiatrist Dr. Luke Jeffries will present “Steps to Proper Foot Care,” a discussion about the best ways to care for your feet and the risks and symptoms for foot injuries and disorders on Tuesday, May 14 at 6:30 p.m. at Griffin Hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division Street in Derby. This talk is especially important for diabetics as the disease causes poor blood flow to the legs and feet, which makes it hard for a sore or infection to heal.

The event is part of Griffin Hospital's Healthy U “Tuesday Talks,” a series of free wellness talks featuring Griffin Hospital medical experts and community partners providing trusted health information and answers to questions on a wide range of topics.

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DERBY, CT (April 25, 2013) – Griffin Hospital is helping area women learn the basics of mammograms and when they should be screened with a free presentation on Tuesday, May 7.

Dr. Denise Barajas, medical director of the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital, will present “Do I Need a Mammogram?” - a discussion on breast cancer screening guidelines, risk factors and genetic counseling - on Tuesday, May 7 at 6:30 p.m. at Griffin Hospital’s Meditation and Learning Center, 130 Division Street in Derby. This talk will feature an in depth discussion of when and how frequently to get a mammogram, the signs and...

DERBY, CT (April 22, 2013) - Griffin Hospital’s Health Initiative for Men (HiM) is holding a Valley-wide Father’s Day art contest to design the front of its 2013 Father’s Day Card.

The contest is open to Ansonia, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton students from elementary school to 12th grade. Entries will be split into an Elementary School Division (up to 6th grade) and a Middle School/High School Division (7th-12th grade). Winners will receive US savings bonds and their art will be featured on Father’s Day cards distributed throughout the Valley.

Design entries should include the depiction of the love between a father and child/children, and a Father’s Day wish encouraging fathers to be aware of/take charge of their own health.

Division winners from each Valley town will receive $500 savings bonds and second-place winners will be awarded $250 saving bonds. The Valley Arts Council will...