News Releases

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...

DERBY, CT (April 18, 2012) – The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital has been designated a Breast Imaging Center of Excellence by the American College of Radiology (ACR).

In awarding the status of a “Breast Imaging Center of Excellence,” the ACR recognizes that The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness demonstrates excellence in breast imaging by successfully earning accreditation in mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, and breast ultrasound (including ultrasound-guided breast biopsy). Accreditation in breast MRI imaging was also achieved by Griffin Hospital and The Griffin Imaging & Diagnostics Center...

DERBY, CT (April 11, 2012) - The Valley Women's Health Initiative will host a Tea Party to benefit the Griffin Hospital Valley Breast Health Care Fund from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 6 in the Dining Room at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby.

Open to men, women, wives, husbands, mothers, daughters and granddaughters, this event is a perfect early Mother’s Day celebration. The Tea Party will feature a sophisticated assortment of savories prepared by Griffin’s Food Services staff and the annual “hat parade” with a special prize awarded for the “best” hat. Attendees will learn about the origins and health benefits of tea, tips for brewing tea, and receive a complimentary assortment of teas. Raffle prizes also will be awarded.

Sponsored by...

Thanks to the support of so many individuals, corporations, and foundations throughout the Valley, Griffin Hospital is delighted to announce the successful completion of the Campaign for Breast Wellness.  With your help, we reached our goal of raising $1 million to create the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness. We thank everyone who supported this important initiative.  To read more about the Campaign for Breast Wellness, click here.

DERBY, CT (February 27, 2012) - Griffin Hospital has announced the completion of its Campaign for Breast Wellness to support the creation of a state-of-the art, comprehensive Center for Breast Wellness as part of the array of services now offered at the hospital’s Hewitt Ambulatory Pavilion. Griffin Hospital received contributions from more than 1,300 individuals, businesses, and foundations toward its goal of raising $1 million to create the new Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness.

“We are honored and humbled by the broad support that has been given to this effort, and we are deeply grateful for all of the help we received from so many throughout the region who provided the essential funding for this initiative,” commented Patrick Charmel, President and CEO of Griffin Hospital. “This was a true community effort of which the entire community should be proud.”

...

DERBY, CT (February 21, 2012) - Griffin Hospital has been awarded a three-year term of accreditation in breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).  The accreditation, which applies to both the hospital-based MRI and the Hitachi Oasis open MRI at the Griffin Imaging & Diagnostics Center at Ivy Brook in Shelton, comes as the result of a recent review by the American College of Radiology (ACR). 

MRI of the breast offers valuable information about many breast conditions that may not be obtained by other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound.

"We are proud to receive ACR accreditation for Breast MRI, which represents our most recent diagnostic imaging modality...

DERBY, CT (December 6, 2011) - With your car, a little preventive maintenance goes a long way.  Now, thanks to Curtiss-Ryan Honda, every oil change performed at its award-winning service department over the past year will go a long way toward fighting breast cancer in our area.

As part of the Griffin Hospital Campaign for BreastWellness, Curtiss-Ryan pledged to donate a portion of the cost of each oil change its service department performed since January 1 of this year to the campaign effort.  That total recently surpassed $10,000, and Curtiss-Ryan Chief Operating Officer Edward DeMarseilles will present a check to Patrick Charmel, President and CEO of Griffin Hospital and Co-Chairs of the Campaign Susan Coyle and Patricia Tarasovic at 1:00 pm Thursday, December 8 at the dealership’s 333 Bridgeport Avenue locationin...

It's October, and that means  the Valley is turning pink!  We are looking forward to proclamations declaring October The Valley Goes Pink month.  Many thanks to the Mayors and First Selectment of Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Naugatuck, Oxford, and Shelton for helping us to kick off the month in style.  Check out your local papers and our Valley Goes Pink page for the calendar of events.  Also, get ready to Dine for Wellness at Wellington's on October 3rd in Shelton.  Our committee members will be waiting on tables with all tips going to the Campaign.  And it's here that Mayor Lauretti will issue his proclamation for Shelton.  Our thanks to all our dedicated committee members for making Pink a month long experience!

DERBY, CT - As part of Griffin Hospital’s grassroots Campaign for Breast Wellness, the Valley will “go pink” throughout October to help raise support for the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness.

During this month-long, community-wide effort, a number of area businesses, municipalities, clubs, individuals, and other organizations will be helping to create awareness about breast cancer programs in the Valley while raising funds to support Griffin Hospital’s new Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness.

Area businesses will be joining Griffin Hospital in “Pink-ifying” their establishments during the month. Some will be donating a percentage of sales during The Valley Goes Pink, including proceeds from the sale of special pink items for sale at Griffin Hospital or Blanchette Sporting Goods; others will be creating their own events to support the effort.

...

The Women Making a Difference Tribute and Luncheon is sponsored by the Women’s Health Initiative, a group comprised of members of the community working toward a common goal of addressing and improving breast cancer awareness.

DERBY, CT (July 12, 2011) - Griffin Hospital will host the second annual "Housy One-Miler" swim at 10:00 am Sunday, August 14. This one-mile swim event, sponsored by Prudential, will begin at the Housatonic River Bank, 36 Birchbank Road in Shelton.

In concert with a committee of volunteers and the residents of the Birchbank area of Shelton, Griffin Hospital launched the Housy One-Miler swim last year to raise money for the Campaign for Breast Wellness, which aims to raise $1 million for the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness. The event experienced such an outpouring of support and enthusiasm from the community that the hospital decided to produce a second swim. “With the leadership and support of so many dynamic volunteers, led by Charlie Sullivan and Pat Tarasovic, we are...

DERBY, CT (July 5, 2011) - The Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital is now "The Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness."  The Shelton-based Hewitt Foundation's name will soon adorn the center by virtue of its $250,000 naming gift to the hospital's ongoing Campaign for Breast Wellness.

The Campaign, which kicked off last year with a goal of raising $1 million, has now raised almost $750,000 thanks to the addition of this naming gift from the Hewitt Foundation, which will be disbursed over the next three years.

The Foundation's latest gift follows a $750,000 gift given in 2007 that named the Hewitt Ambulatory Care Pavilion, which houses the Hewitt Center for Breast Wellness on its Ground Floor.  The Hewitt Pavilion adjoins the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital at 350 Seymour Avenue in Derby, and houses the offices of General & Laparoscopic Surgical Associates, also on the Ground Floor, Griffin Hospital's Special Procedures Unit, on the First Floor, and the hospital's...

DERBY, CT - The Valley Women's Health Initiative is seeking nominations for "outstanding women" who have made positive contributions to the community. Award winners will be recognized on October 6, 2011 at the 11th annual "Women Making a Difference in the Valley" luncheon and fundraiser. The event is slated to take place at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby.

Over the past 10 years, 70 women from various walks of life who live or work in the Valley have been honored. Individuals, business leaders, and organizations alike are invited to submit nominations. Nominees should exemplify the multi-dimensional role women play in today's society as demonstrated by the contributions they have made to positively affect their community. Nominees must live or work in one of the Valley towns: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, Shelton, and Naugatuck.

Nominations should be submitted by July 30, 2011. To request...

Women's Day of Health, a day FOR women, BY women, is being co-sponsored by Griffin Hospital and the Women & Heart Disease Committee on Saturday, May 7, from 9 AM- 2 PM.  The half-day event, which takes place at Griffin Hospital, will feature keynote addresses by Center for Breast Wellness Medical Director, Dr. Zandra Cheng, and Center for Cancer Care Dietician, Samantha Heller. Activities include breakout sessions on health and well-being issues, free health screenings, and informational resource tables to...

Give the perfect gift for Mother's Day to your mother, daughter, and perhaps even your granddaughter by surprising her with a Tea Party! And be sure you all wear a "favorite" hat!   Hosted by members of the Women's Health Initiative to benefit the Griffin Hospital Valley Breast Health Care Fund, the Tea Party will take place on Sunday, May 1, from 2 to 4 pm in the Dining Room at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby.   It is open to all: men and women, wives and husbands; mothers, daughters and granddaughters. A sophisticated assortment of savories will be served and music for the benefit will be provided by a violinist member of Griffin Hospital's Planetree Arts and Entertainment Program. A prize will be awarded to the person wearing...

DERBY, CT (January 24, 2011) - Griffin Hospital will present "Advances in Breast Care" at 6:30 pm Thursday, February 10.  This free health talk, which is part of the Griffin's popular Health Empowerment Series, will be presented by fellowship-trained breast surgeon Zandra Cheng, MD, FACS.

Dr. Cheng, Medical Director of the new Center for Breast Wellness at Griffin Hospital,will discuss the latest advances in breast care and breast wellness, as well as the comprehensive range of services provided at Griffin Hospital's new Center.

Dr. Cheng is board-certified in General Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and is accredited in breast ultrasound by the American Society of Breast Surgery. Dr. Cheng comes to Griffin Hosptial from Annapolis, Maryland, where she has...

DERBY, CT (October 14, 2010) - Learn from the experts at the Health Empowerment Series designed to encourage attendees to be active participants in their health care and to educate them on some of the latest treatments and procedures being used at Griffin Hospital. All sessions begin at 6:30 p.m. To register, call Griffin Hospital Infosource at 203.732.1511 or register online at www.griffinhealth.org. Click on Programs & Events.

The upcoming Health Empowerment Series includes:

Wednesday, Oct. 20 - “Trouble Going: A Surgical Approach to Constipation and Incontinence.” Constipation and incontinence are common medical conditions; however, many people choose not to seek the assistance of their doctor. Careful evaluation by a qualified specialist is essential to achieving effective treatment. In this talk, Dr. John Aversa,...

DERBY, CT - The Valley Women's Health Initiative is seeking nominations for "outstanding women" who have made positive contributions to the community. Award winners will be recognized on October 7, 2010 at the tenth annual "Women Making a Difference in the Valley" luncheon and fundraiser. The event is slated to take place at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby. Over the past 9 years, 65 women from various walks of life who live or work in the Valley have been honored.

Individuals, business leaders, and organizations alike are invited to submit nominations.  Nominees should exemplify the multi-dimensional role women play in today's society as demonstrated by the contributions they have made to positively affect their community. Nominees must live or work in one of the six Valley towns:...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DERBY, CT (December 15, 2009) - If you are one of the millions of Americans who suffer from sleepless nights due to snoring or obstructive sleep apnea, blurred vision due to cataracts, or painful joints due to arthritis, here's an opportunity for a face-to-face discussion with an expert in the field. Griffin Hospital's ongoing Health Empowerment Series - presented by Griffin Hospital physicians to empower people to make informed decisions about their health care - offers the latest information on the diagnosis and treatment of these and other topics.

Upcoming sessions include:

"Snoring - It's No Laughing Matter!" on January 7, featuring pulmonologist and sleep specialist Dr. K. Marya Chaisson "Is Your Best Vision Ahead of You?", on January 13,...

DERBY, CT (August 14, 2009) - The latest imaging and diagnostics technology, chronic knee or hip pain, single incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS), arthritis, and syncope, a temporary loss of consciousness or fainting, are among the scheduled talks by Griffin Hospital physicians to be presented as part of the ongoing Health Empowerment Series. Other topics include shoulder pain, reconstructive breast surgery, congestive heart failure, and complementary medicine. Registration is requested. Please call (203)732-1511 or register online at www.griffinhealth.org.

The schedule of topics and presenters is:

Aug. 20, “A Radiologist’s View,” Dr. Diego Nunez Aug. 25, 6:30 pm and Oct. 15, 2:30 pm – “Is Chronic Knee or Hip Pain Slowing You Down?” Dr. Ignatius Komninakas...

DERBY, CT - The Valley Women's Health Initiative is seeking nominations for "outstanding women" who have made positive contributions to the community. Award winners will be recognized on October 1, 2009 at the ninth annual "Women Making a Difference in the Valley" luncheon and fundraiser. The event is slated to take place at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby. Over the past eight years, 59 women from various walks of life who live or work in the Valley have been honored.

Individuals, business leaders, and organizations alike are invited to submit nominations. Nominees should exemplify the multi-dimensional role women play in today's society as demonstrated by the contributions they have made to positively affect their community. Nominees must live or work in one of the six Valley towns: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour,...

DERBY, CT: The Valley Women's Health Initiative will present the 5th Annual "Women Making a Difference in the Valley" tribute luncheon and breast cancer awareness fundraiser on October 6, 2005 from 12:00-2:00 pm at the Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby.

The tribute recognizes "outstanding women" who have made positive contributions to the community and have demonstrated significant achievement in their fields of endeavor, both professional and volunteer. The honorees exemplify the multi-dimensional role women play in today's society as demonstrated by the contributions they have made to positively affect their communities in the six Valley towns: Ansonia, Beacon Falls, Derby, Oxford, Seymour, and Shelton.

This year, eight women will be honored; Beth Colette, Rita Girdzis, Andrea Hyde and Robin Smith of Derby; Denese Deeds and Kathleen McNicols-Marks of Shelton; Pauline Lounsbury of Seymour and Grace Malasankas of Oxford.

Sponsorships and advertisement are still available to support this important...