News Releases

DERBY, CT (January 12, 2012) - In late December, Marketing Disease Prevention & Awareness (MDPA) began announcing its inductees into the MDPA Hall of Fame Class of 2012. The first inductee to be chosen is David L. Katz, MD, MPH, FACPM, FACP, the founding director of the Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center.

The MDPA Hall of Fame is designed to honor those who have made substantial strides in helping to improve efforts in health through better efforts in marketing, communication, and improving awareness of important health issues. The focus of those inducted this year will be based on their contributions to fighting the epidemic of childhood obesity. 

Marketing Disease Prevention & Awareness is an offshoot of the established healthcare marketing conference company, DTC Perspectives Inc. The goal of this venture is to discuss how preventable diseases plaguing the U.S. can be treated and prevented and how to best communicate these options.

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DERBY, CT (November 30, 2011) - Can chocolate be legitimately considered a health food?  If so, which is more “healthful” – dark chocolate or milk chocolate? An extensive review of the relevant science, authored by Yale-Griffin Prevention Research Center Director Dr. David Katz and colleagues, suggests that dark chocolate does indeed qualify as a health food, although with some stipulations.

The review, published in the November 15th issue of the journal Antioxidants and Redox Signaling, notes that cocoa, the main ingredient in chocolate, actually has a long history of use based on its purported healing properties....

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DERBY, CT (November 21, 2011) - Dan Tuccio, Physician Support Specialist, and Marya Chaisson, MD, co-chair of Griffin Hospital's Patient Centered Care Council, were named recipients of 2011 Spirit of Planetree Awards at the 2011 Planetree Annual Conference held October 30 - November 3, 2011, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Tuccio and Chaisson received the "Caregiver Award" and "Physician Champion Award, respectively, recognizing their personal embodiment of Griffin Hospital's patient-centered approach to providing care.  The awards were presented by Planetree President Susan B. Frampton in conjunction with the Planetree Annual Conference.

“The Spirit of Planetree Award Ceremony is always a highlight of our Annual Conference,” said Planetree President Susan B. Frampton. “At the heart of the Planetree model are the human interactions between patients and caregivers. With the Spirit of Planetree Awards, we celebrate individuals like Dan Tuccio and Dr. Marya Chaisson...

InterStim® Therapy now available at Griffin Hospital

DERBY, CT (July 28, 2011) – Board Certified colorectal surgeon John Aversa, MD was the first surgeon in New England to implant a pacemaker-like device to help control fecal incontinence following the April 2011 approval of this new treatment by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA approved the treatment after a 12-month, 120-patient study that proved its effectiveness.

Dr. Aversa, who practices with Ciardiello, Bonadies & Aversa Surgery Group, PC, with offices in Derby, Hamden and Guilford, was one of the first surgeons in the United States to perform the life-altering InterStim® procedure off-study since the FDA approval. He...

DERBY, CT - Kim Hall, senior applications coordinator, Information Services, and Wes Valentine, RN, Evening Supervisor, Emergency Department, will share honors as the 2011-12 "Employees of the Year." The staff of the Center for Cancer Care/Radiation Oncology, was named "Department of the Year" at Griffin Hospital's annual Employee Recognition ceremony, held May 11 at the Crowne Plaza in Southbury.

Griffin Hospital CEO and President Patrick Charmel and Medical Staff President Paul Nussbaum, M.D. made the award announcements at the event, held each year during National Hospital Week, which recognizes employees and physicians for years of service and for outstanding performance.

In announcing the...

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...

Statistics show that more than six million couples suffer from fertility problems, yet 85-90% of these cases can be treated with medication or surgery. There are many different types of fertility treatment, ranging from conservative approaches to the most cutting-edge technological options.

On Wednesday, May 3, at 6:30 pm, Dr. Andrew Levi, will present:  "What You Need To Know about Fertility Treatment!". Part of the Griffin Hospital Health Empowerment Series, this free seminar will cover which treatment options are most appropriate for patients based on age,  diagnosis, and prior treatments. A question and answer session with Dr. Andrew Levi, who is  board certified in reproductive endocrinology and  infertility as well as obstetrics and gynecology, will allow attendees...

DERBY, CT (December 30, 2010) - A question and answer session with Dr. Andrew Levi, board certified in reproductive endocrinology and infertility as well as obstetrics and gynecology, will highlight the Tuesday, January 11, 6:30pm Health Empowerment Series talk "What You Need to Know about Fertility Treatment!" There are many different types of fertility treatment, ranging from conservative approaches to the most cutting-edge technologic options. Dr. Levi will discuss which treatment options are most appropriate for patients based on age, diagnosis, and prior treatments.

On Thursday, January 20, Dr. James R. Pinke,...

DERBY, CT - Do you snore? Are you frequently tired during the day? Do you wake during the night feeling breathless? If you answered yes to just one of these questions, you may be suffering from a sleep disorder.

Most people who suffer from snoring and sleep apnea are unaware of the consequences of how it affects their daytime and nighttime functions. A person with sleep apnea finds it hard to breathe during sleep due to a partial or complete collapse of their breathing passage. The airway collapse is usually identified by a family member complaining of loud snoring. Untreated, sleep apnea can lead to potentially life threatening diseases such as a cardiac disease, stroke, and diabetes.

On Wednesday, December 15, at 6:30 pm, Dr. K. Marya Chaisson, Director of Griffin Hospital's Sleep Wellness Center, will present "Snoring - It's No Laughing Matter!" Dr. Chaisson is board certified in sleep medicine, internal medicine,...

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 (September 17, 2010) - Griffin Bariatrics will host a free health fair for weight loss surgery patients from 6:00 - 8:00 pm Tuesday, September 28 at Griffin Hospital.

Timothy Ehrlich, MD, FACS, Director of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery at Griffin Hospital, will host this special health fair and introduce Griffin Bariatrics' new "Back on Track" Program, which features a comprehensive menu of support services that are available to all post-operative patients who would like to get “back on track” to healthier weight loss and weight management.

The Health Fair will feature a...

DERBY, CT (AUGUST 19, 2010) - The first two offerings in the fall/winter Health Empowerment Series at Griffin Hospital have been announced.

"Behind the Pain: A Close Look at Hemorrhoids and Fissures," will be presented on Wednesday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m. by John M. Aversa, Jr., D.O. Dr. Aversa is a board-certified colo-rectal surgeon with offices in Derby. In this talk he discusses causes, symptoms and treatment of hemorrhoids, fissures and similar ailments and the many forms of treatment including a minimally invasive surgical approach. "Arthritis and Join Pain" is the topic for Ignatius Komninakas, M.D.,...

DERBY, CT - The Sleep Wellness Center at Griffin Hospital has recently completed a state-of-the-art equipment upgrade to its equipment, adding advanced digital and video technology.

The Center, which is fully accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), has been diagnosing and treating sleep disorders for more than 12 years. The Center's new equipment upgrade will improve patient comfort and allow the Center to perform polysomnographs - or sleep studies - at the highest level of diagnostic quality, according to the Center’s Medical Director, K. Marya Chaisson, M.D., a board certified sleep medicine specialist.

"Griffin Hospital's highly trained staff and patient-centered Planetree approach to care help ensure that our patients are comfortable and relaxed throughout the course of their sleep study. Now, thanks to our recent...

In conjunction with American Stroke Month, the Women and Heart Disease Committee of Griffin Hospital will host its Annual "Desserts for the Heart" Program, at 6:30 PM on Thursday, May 20, 2010, in the Dining Room of Griffin Hospital. The free program is open to all. Dr. Dorothea Wild, MPH, Chief Hospitalist and co-director of the Griffin Hospital Stroke Program, is featured speaker. An assortment of heart-healthy desserts will be provided. Those interested in attending should call 203-732-1137 by May 13 to reserve a seat. Seating is limited. Free stroke assessments are being offered from 5:30 to 6:30 PM and immediately following the program.

According to the American Stroke Association, each year approximately 795,000 people suffer a stroke - 610,000 are first attacks and 185,000 are recurrent. Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States is suffering...

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DERBY, CT (April 16, 2010) - The Bariatric Surgery Center at Griffin Hospital will host a Weight Loss Surgery Health Fair from 6:00 - 9:00 pm Thursday, April 29, at the Trumbull Marriott, 180 Hawley Lane in Trumbull. The free event is open to all weight loss surgery patients and those considering weight loss surgery.

The Health Fair will feature keynote speaker Khaliah Ali, lap-band weight loss surgery patient and daughter of legendary heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. Ms. Ali, who is also an Emmy-nominated talk show host, former Ford model, and a fashion designer with her own line of clothing, will describe her life-long struggle with obesity, which she chronicled in her book, "Fighting Weight," published by Harper Collins.

Bariatric surgeon Timothy Ehrlich, MD, FACS, Director of the Bariatric Surgery Center at Griffin Hospital, will moderate a Q&A session with Ms. Ali, and also discuss the latest bariatric surgery options available for patients....

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DERBY, CT (April 14, 2010) - Registration is underway for several upcoming Health Empowerment Series topics scheduled in April and May. Interested members of the general public are invited to attend these free informational talks designed to inform you about some of the latest treatments and procedures being offered at Griffin Hospital and to empower you to play a more active role in managing your own health.

Upcoming topics include: “Why Do My Legs Hurt?” on Wednesday, April 21, at 6:30pm, by Dr. Michael A. Sergi, a fellowship-trained vascular surgeon. Dr. Sergi will discuss venous and peripheral vascular disease (PVD), a slow and progressive circulation disorder which affects about 10 million people in the US. Conditions associated...

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DERBY, CT (April 5, 2010) - Griffin Hospital's new Bariatric Surgery Center is offering free Weight Loss Seminars to help individuals struggling with obesity take the first step toward a lifetime of healthier living. Upcoming seminars, offered as part of Griffin Hospital's ongoing Health Empowerment Series, will be held Wednesday, April 7, at the Trumbull Marriott, and Monday, April 12 at Griffin Hospital. Both seminars begin at 6:00 pm.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one third of U.S. adults - more than 72 million people - and 16% of U.S. children are obese. Since 1980, obesity rates for adults have doubled and rates for children have tripled. In Connecticut, the CDC reports that obesity rates have risen from 10-14% of the state's population in 1999, to 15-19% in 2000, to 20-24% in 2008.

Griffin Hospital developed its new Bariatric Surgery...

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DERBY, CT (February 26, 2010) - Snoring, chronic knee or hip pain, hospitalization of the elderly and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are the focus of an upcoming series of free talks for the general public by Griffin Hospital physicians and professional staff. Part of the hospital’s ongoing Health Empowerment Series, all programs take place at 6:30 pm (unless otherwise specified) at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division St., Derby, CT. Register online or by calling (203)732-1511.

The current series includes:

Thursday, March 11, "Snoring - It's No Laughing Matter!" with Dr. Marya Chaisson, Medical Director...

Griffin Hospital has received the American Stroke Association's Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke (GWTG-Stroke) Silver Performance 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.

"With a stroke, time lost is brain lost, and the GWTG-Stroke Silver Performance Achievement Award addresses the important element of time," said Dr. Dorothea Wild, MPH, Chief Hospitalist and Co-Director, Griffin Stroke Program. Griffin Hospital has developed a comprehensive system for rapid diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients admitted to the emergency department. This includes always being equipped to provide brain imaging scans, having neurologists available to conduct patient evaluations and using clot-busting medications when appropriate.

To receive the Get With The Guidelines-Stroke Silver Performance Achievement...

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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,...

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DERBY, CT (August 18, 2009) - Evelyn Amico of Ansonia didn't welcome the news that she needed gallbladder surgery, recalling the experiences of friends and family who had undergone the procedure in years past. While she had heard of the less invasive laparoscopic procedures used more commonly today, she still wasn't looking forward to the idea of surgery and the recovery period, which would take her away from her weekly golf game. But when her surgeon, Leland Soto, M.D., suggested that she might be an ideal candidate for Single Incision Laparoscopic Surgery (SILS) at Griffin Hospital, she began to feel much better.

With the new procedure, Dr. Soto is able to perform laparoscopic surgery through a small single incision in the bellybutton or another hidden site. After...

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...

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DERBY, CT (August 3, 2009) - The Fall 2009 session of Griffin Hospital's popular "Mini-Med School" course will begin Thursday, September 17, 2009. The free course, which will be conducted over 10 consecutive weekly sessions by various Griffin Hospital physicians who serve as faculty, will meet Thursdays from 6:30 - 9:00 pm in the hospital's Meditation and Learning Center. The Mini-Med School will culminate with a "graduation" ceremony for participants on November 19.

The course is specifically designed for the layperson with little or no medical background, providing a unique opportunity to gain a greater understanding of how the human body works, insight into common disorders of the various organ systems, as well as information about disease prevention. Each weekly session will be divided into two hour-long presentations on different medical topics with a refreshment break between presentations and ample time for questions and answers.

This is the sixth time Griffin...

StoryCorps, a national initiative to document everyday history and the unique stories of Americans, visited Griffin Hospital's Center for Cancer Care on May 27 and 28, 2009 to celebrate the stories of Griffin Hospital's community as part of the hospital's Centennial Anniversary. StoryCorps is a national independent nonprofit project in partnership with NPR and the American Folklife Center (AFC) at the Library of Congress.

Participating in the 45-minute interview sessions were a mixture of Griffin Hospital employees, nurses, physicians, donors, and friends: Dr. Jeff Yale and Lenore Yale; Griffin Hospital chaplain the Rev. JoClare Wilson and Maria Sylvestre, RN; Joseph Pagliaro, Jr. and Edward Sheehy, Jr. ; Griffin Hospital President and CEO Patrick Charmel and Griffin Hospital Vice President Bill Powanda; Dr. Kenneth Dobuler and daughter Zoe; Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce President Bill Purcell and The Valley United Way President Jack Walsh; Community Outreach & Parish Nurse Program...

DERBY, CT - The Griffin Hospital Dining Room will again serve as the setting for the 2nd Annual "Desserts for the Heart" program sponsored by the Women & Heart Disease Committee. The event will take place on Thursday, May 28, at 6:30 p.m., 130 Division St., Derby. This year's program features Griffin Hospital's newest cardiologist, Dr. Lavanya Bellumkonda, a specialist in heart failure, cardiac imaging and women's heart disease. In addition, in conjunction with Stroke Awareness Month, free stroke assessments will be offered from 5 - 6:30 pm and immediately following the program. A variety of desserts and heart-healthy treats will be served.

Dr. Bellumkonda is affiliated with Doctors Anthony D'Souza, Martin Plavec and Stephen R. Woodworth at Heart Specialists PC of Southern Connecticut in Oxford and Shelton.

The Women and Heart Disease Committee is focused...

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DERBY, CT (June 16, 2008) - The month of May was an award-filled one for Griffin Hospital. On May 7, the hospital held it's annual Nurses' Day celebration to honor all nurses and to present awards to those nurses receiving specific honors.

Kelly Egan, RN, of Oxford, was named "Outstanding Nurse of the Year," and rounding out the award recipient list were:

Mary Ellen Salemme, RN, of Shelton, who won the Marie Santini Perioperative Nursing Excellence Award Becky Dellinger, RN, of Derby, who won the Richard Stivala, MD Obstetric Nursing Excellence Award Tara Donovan, RN, of Naugatuck, who won the Donald Torok Memorial Scholarship Kristin Norko, RN, of West Haven, who won the Mary Nelligan Award for Continuing Education Betty Yankowski, RN, of Orange, who won the Mary Schumacher Leadership Award. Each year, in addition to the nursing awards, the nursing staff chooses a physician to be given the honor of Griffin Hospital's Physician of the Year....

DERBY, CT: Dr. Kenneth Dobuler was recently honored as Medical Director of the Year during the annual leadership meeting of Praxis Clinical Services held in Florida. Praxis, provider of Griffin Hospital's two hyperbaric chambers, holds partnerships with 50 clinical wound and hyperbaric centers throughout the country and is recognized as the industry leader in chronic wound management.

Dr. Dobuler, a pulmonary specialist and Chairperson of the Department of Medicine at Griffin Hospital, is the only Hyperbaric Medicine Board-Certified physician in Connecticut. He was chosen for the award based on Griffin Hospital's ranking regarding the Comprehensive Wound Healing Center's growth, patient satisfaction, and excellence with clinical outcomes.

Last year, Dr. Dobuler earned distinction as the only hospital-based physician in Connecticut to be board certified in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine and one of only 206 in the entire United States approximately one year ago. He is also board-certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine.

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DERBY, CT: Today Griffin Hospital officially kicks off its new employee wellness program WinFit with a presentation by nutrition expert Dr. David Katz.

Dr. David Katz is a nationally known authority on nutrition and weight control, who will give a talk based on his book, The Way to Eat. The two presentations will be at the Griffin Hospital Meditation and Learning Center Wednesday, January 19th:

Session 1 from 12:30-1:30 pm Session 2 from 5:00-6:00 pm His book The Way to Eat will be given as a gift to all employees who attend the presentation. Employee family members and the community are all welcome to attend. We ask that everyone call (203) 732-1511 to make a reservation.

"By knowing about the many obstacles to weight control, you can match to each one the skills and strategies needed to get around it," Katz states. In The...