News Releases

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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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 11, 2012) - Griffin Hospital recently donated more than $2,000 to Spooner House in Shelton to help stock the shelter’s food bank. 

Kim Hall, Sr. Applicatio​ns Coordinato​r and Co-organiz​er of Griffin Hospital's Spring Basket Raffle (center) presents the proceeds from the raffle to Susan Agamy, Executive Director of Spooner House, along with Robin Kudasik, Planetree Programs and Services Assistant and raffle co-organiz​er, and volunteers Rem Skidmore, Jr. and Clarence Canfield (far right). Griffin Hospital raised the donation through its Spring Basket Raffle in which hospital departments put together baskets for the special fundraising effort.

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DERBY, CT (April 2, 2012) - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will host a free presentation on “Exercise and Diabetes” at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 10 in the hospital’s Cardiac Rehabilitation classroom in the Hewitt Pavilion/Cancer Care Center at 350 Seymour Ave. in Derby.

Exercise Physiologist Tom Gallagher, MS, will discuss the importance of exercise in regulating blood sugar levels and the exercise guidelines for diabetics. The presentation will also include demonstrations of strength and cardio workouts for individuals diagnosed with diabetes.

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges and day-to-day dietary concerns. This group is open to all diabetics...

DERBY, CT (March 27, 2012) – Low income families in Valley will be better equipped to keep their children safe thanks to a recent grant to Griffin Hospital’s Valley Parish Nurse Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Chapter.

BJ’s Charitable Foundation awarded $5,000 to the chapter for infant and booster car seats that will be made available to families in need through car seat clinics in the community.  

“Many families in the Valley are facing economic challenges that can make it hard to afford the proper safety car seats 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...

DERBY, CT (March 22, 2012) - Encouraging women to love and take care of their bodies is the focus of the 2nd Annual Women’s Day of Health, which will be held from 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 21 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division Street in Derby.

Sponsored by Griffin Hospital’s Women and Heart Disease Committee, the event is “a day for women, by women,” featuring uplifting and educational presentations to help women be happier and healthier. Attendees can also make appointments for free blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis, and stroke screenings between 2:30 and 3:30 pm.

This year’s Women’s Day of Health’s keynote speaker, Delphine Geraci, R.N., will present “Bringing Out the Aphrodite in You!” a talk that encourages women to find the positives in themselves and grow from there. The event also includes presentations on basic CPR instruction, preventing and detecting heart...

DERBY, CT (March 19, 2012) - Griffin Hospital was recently recognized as one of the area’s most dedicated sponsors of the American Red Cross in 2011.

Griffin Hospital achieved Silver Level in the Red Cross’ Life Share Program, a healthcare initiative that aims to increase blood donations at hospital-sponsored blood drives. Last year, blood drives at Griffin Hospital collected 296 units of blood from staff and community donors. Because each pint has the potential to help up to three people, 888 patients may have benefitted from the hospital’s efforts.

“Successful blood drives are a true partnership among the sponsoring organizations, the donors and the Red Cross. Families and communities depend upon the Red Cross in times of need and that is why we sincerely thank Griffin Hospital for its loyal support,” said Paul Sullivan, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross Connecticut Blood Services Region. “We couldn’t continue to help those in need with Griffin Hospital’s dedication.”

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DERBY, CT (March 9, 2012) - Juniors and seniors of Valley high schools and their parents are invited to a free dinner and prom safety event from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 3 at Griffin Hospital, 130 Division Street in Derby.

“Underage drinking increases during prom season and the most powerful tool against underage drinking is parents,” said Cathleen Kellett of Griffin Hospital’s Community Outreach & Valley Parish Nurse Program.

The event will feature pertinent information on how parents can keep their teens safe on prom night from guest speakers:

Courtney Pasono of Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Greg Boris, M.D.,...

DERBY, CT (March 9, 2012) - Griffin Hospital will offer free oral, head and neck cancer screenings from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, April 24. The event, held during the 15th annual Oral, Head, and Neck Cancer Awareness Week®, will be held at the Center for Cancer Care at 300 Seymour Avenue in Derby.

“Unfortunately, many Americans do not recognize the symptoms of these life-threatening diseases, which include cancers of the oral cavity, larynx and pharynx, and by the time they are diagnosed, for some, it’s too late,” said Ken Yanagisawa, M.D.,...

For Immediate Release

DERBY, CT (February 15, 2012): The Valley Parish Nurse Program / Greater Naugatuck Valley will offer a four-day, 32-hour course for those interested in becoming Nationally Certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians.

The classes will be held from 8:00 am – 5:00 pm on Tuesday, March 20 and Wednesday, March 21, and Tuesday, March 27 and Wednesday, March 28 at the Echo Hose Ambulance Corp Training Center in Shelton. The cost of the class is $185. Lunch and breaks will be provided.

This 32 hour program is designed to educate individuals to become child passenger safety technicians. Topics covered include:

the need for child passenger safety programs relevant federal legislation and safety standards crash dynamics vehicle occupant protection systems...

The Valley United Way has awarded the Griffin Hospital Valley Parish Nurse (VPN) Program a Special Needs Grant to help purchase educational materials for children's health and safety programs.

"We are grateful to the Valley United Way for its ongoing support of our efforts to make our community a healthier, safer place to live, especially for our children," said Cathi Kellett, Special Programs Coordinator in the Office of Community Outreach and Parish Nursing at Griffin Hospital. 

According to Kellett, the $1,720 grant will be used to purchase books, posters, and other educational materials on topics ranging from using 911, home and fire safety, seasonal safety, healthy habits, healthy eating, and exercise.

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DERBY, CT (January 12, 2012) - The Lower Naugatuck Valley Boys & Girls Club and Father Leonard Kvedas, pastor of St. Michael’s Parish in Beacon Falls, will share honors as recipients of the 4th Annual “Caring Heart” Award.  The award is presented each year to an individual and a community organization in recognition of initiatives that support, promote, and improve the general health and well-being of the community. 

Sponsored by the Woman and Heart Disease Committee at Griffin Hospital, in conjunction with American Heart Month, the award presentations will take place on February 2nd at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby. Registration and a silent auction will begin at 5:00 pm, followed by dinner at 6:00 pm and the program and awards. The guest speaker...

DERBY, CT (January 3, 2012) - In conjunction with American Heart Month, the Women and Heart Disease Committee will host its 7th Annual Women and Heart Disease program on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at Grassy Hill Lodge in Derby. Reservations for the event, which is open to the public, can be made by calling 203-732-7584 or 203-732-1137. The cost is $35.

Event registration and a silent auction will start at 5:00 pm, followed promptly at 6:00 pm by dinner and the program, which features guest speaker Samantha Heller, MS, RD, CDN, Nutrition Coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital.

In addition to her duties at Griffin Hospital, Ms. Heller is a nationally known health and media expert, consultant, and author of Get Smart:...

Derby, CT (December 8, 2011) - Griffin Hospital will donate the proceeds of its "Holiday Wonderland of Trees" fundraiser to Spooner House to help feed area families in need this holiday season.  The Holiday Wonderland of Trees, currently located in the hospital connector just past the main lobby, is comprised of 29 three-foot trees, each of which was decorated by a hospital department for the special fundraising effort. 

Tickets ($1 each or 10 for $15) for a chance to win the tree(s) of your choice are on sale now until December 15, and can be purchased from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Monday - Friday at the hospital. Winners will be notified after a special drawing that will take place at the hospital's December...

DERBY, CT (October 25) - The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will meet on Tuesday, November 8, at 6:30 pm in the hospital’s Dining Room Meeting Room. Guest speaker Samantha Heller, RD, Clinical Nutrition Coordinator at the Center for Cancer Care at Griffin Hospital, will present “Get Smart: Boosting Brain Power & Optimizing Total Body Health.”

Heller, an author and nationally known nutrition expert who regularly appears on television and radio programs such as Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, the CBS Early Show, and Doctor Radio on Sirius XM, will discuss a number recipes from her book, "Get Smart." Griffin Hospital Executive Chef Greg O’Gorman will be on hand to do a cooking demonstration and taste testing with the following recipes from the book:

Cauliflower & Butternut Squash Soup Vegetable...

DERBY, CT - Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley, FedEx, and community leaders from Griffin Hospital, the Valley Parish Nurse Program, Seymour Police and Seymour Board of Education, will walk with children at Anna LoPresti Elementary School on Maple Street in Seymour to advocate for safer walking environments for children at 8:00 am Wednesday, October 5, International Walk to School Day.

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Diabetes Education & Support Meets at Griffin Hospital

The Diabetes Education & Support Group at Griffin Hospital will meet on Tuesday, June 14, at 6:30pm in the hospital’s Dining Room Meeting Room.  Guest speaker, Mary Swansiger, RN, MPH, will present the topic, “Journey for Control: Managing Your Blood Glucose.”  Registration is not required. 

The Diabetes Education & Support Group meets September - June on the second Tuesday of each month to discuss the management of diabetes, its challenges and day-to-day dietary concerns. This group is open to all diabetics and their families, at no charge.
For questions, please contact Mary at 203-732-1137.

The 6th Annual Community Health and Safety Fair for All Ages will take place on Saturday, May 14, from 10 am to 2 pm. at the Ansonia Armory, 5 North State St. Sponsored by Griffin Hospital, the Valley Parish Nurse Program, Valley NAACP, the City of Ansonia, and the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven Neighborhood Small Grants program, the free event will feature a variety of activities including free stroke assessments (including cholesterol), blood...

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...

The 5th Annual Community Health and Safety Fair For All Ages will take place on Saturday, May 22, from 10 am to 2 pm. at the Ansonia Armory, 5 North State St.  Sponsored by Griffin Hospital, the Valley Parish Nurse Program, Valley NAACP,  Valley YMCA, the City of Ansonia, and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven Neighborhood Small Grants, the free event will feature a variety of activities including free cholesterol, diabetic, osteoporosis and blood pressure screening. It is open to the entire community. Attendees may park in the Assumption School lot.

In addition to the health screenings for adults and children, health and safety activities include child bike helmets and bike rodeo, the CHIPS (Childhood Identification) program, car seat checks and installation, health, wellness and safety display booths and educational materials, vision...

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...

DERBY, CT - In conjunction with American Heart Month, the Women and Heart Disease Committee of Griffin Hospital will host its 5th Annual Women and Heart Disease Program, on Thursday, February 11, 2010, in the dining room of Griffin Hospital. Registration, silent auction and social begin at 5 pm with dinner at 6 pm. John A. Elefteriades, MD, author of the book The Woman's Heart: An Owner's Guide is guest speaker. Presentation of the 2nd Annual "Caring Heart" Awards to Griffin Hospital volunteers, Clarence Canfield of Ansonia, and Jeannette Connelly of Derby, will highlight the evening. Tickets are $30 per person and may be obtained by calling 203-732-7584 or 203-732-1137. The event is open to all persons interested in learning more about heart disease and the best choices for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

Dr. Elefteriades directs the Yale Center of Thoracic Aortic Disease, one of the nation's largest facilities for treatment of the dilated thoracic aorta. In addition to TThe...

DERBY, CT - Griffin Hospital was recent recipient of an award by the NAACP, Ansonia Branch #2000. Valley NAACP President Greg Johnson presented the award to Griffin Hospital CEO and President Patrick Charmel during the organization's 22nd Annual Freedom Fund Dinner in October. The event was hosted by Desiree Fontaine, traffic reporter for WTNH - Channel 8 News and My TV 9.

In presenting the award to Griffin Hospital, Johnson noted that both Griffin Hospital and the national NAACP were celebrating 100-year anniversaries and cited Griffin Hospital for its "commitment to provide health care services to the Valley community." Through its Community Outreach and Parish Nurse Program, Griffin Hospital has partnered with the Ansonia NAACP for the past three years to co-sponsor an annual community health fair, and reaches out to...

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 - An event for all ages is the focus of the 4th Annual Community Health and Safety Fair for children and adults on Saturday, May 30, from 10 am to 2 pm. at the Ansonia Armory, 5 North State St.

Sponsored by Griffin Hospital, the Valley Parish Nurse Program, the Valley N.A.A.C.P., the Valley YMCA, the City of Ansonia and the Community Foundation of Greater New Haven Neighborhood Small Grants, the free event will feature health screenings for adults and children including cholesterol, diabetic, osteoporosis, blood pressure screenings and stroke assessments.

Fitted bike helmets will be given to the first 250 children and there will be a bike rodeo and car seat safety checks and installation. Volunteers will be on hand to register youngsters for the CHIPS (Childhood Identification 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...

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...

DERBY, CT: Representatives from The Healthcare Chaplaincy in New York will visit Griffin Hospital tomorrow to join Griffin Hospital staff as they honor retired hospital Chaplain Fredrick Erson, recipient of the 2004 Wholeness of Life Award. Erson, who served as Griffin Hospital's first chaplain for 10 years, established the Valley Parish Nurse Program at Griffin Hospital in 1989 and has been instrumental in the start of most Parish Nurse programs in New England since that time. He also successfully developed the "Neighborhood" Parish Nurse program which focuses on ministering to the community at large by utilizing a Mobile Health Resource Center...

DERBY, CT - Daun Barrett, R.N., Coordinator of the Valley Parish Nurse Program (VPNP) has been selected as Griffin Hospital's first Planetree "Spirit of Caring" award winner. Planetree started the "Spirit of Caring" award to publicly recognize health caregivers who personalize and humanize the health care experience for patients and their families and programs or services supporting extraordinary achievement in patient-centered care. The Valley Parish Nurse Program was selected as Griffin Hospital's "Spirit of Caring" award program.

Planetree established the "Spirit of Caring" award for the 76 hospitals across the country that are members of the Planetree Alliance. "Spirit of Caring" award winners from the hospitals will be recognized at a special award ceremony at the annual Planetree conference in Seattle in October.

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